18 Pharmaceutical Companies Acquired New Patents from January to September
More Than Half of the Total 47 Cases Are Foreign Companies
Emphasis on Technology Level and Core Technology Protection
Domestic Pharmaceutical Companies Also Accelerating... Cumulative Patents Still Limited
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Domestic pharmaceutical and bio companies are stepping up to challenge the pharmaceutical patent market, which is dominated by foreign pharmaceutical companies. Led by LG Chem and Hanmi Pharmaceutical, eight pharmaceutical and bio companies have registered new patents so far this year. Patent registration serves as a measure to prove technological capabilities for new drug development and is fundamental for securing future rights, making it increasingly important for companies strengthening their research and development policies.
According to pharmaceutical and bio industry sources and patent registration statistics from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on the 30th, 18 domestic pharmaceutical companies acquired new patents from January to September this year, totaling 47 patents. Among these, more than half, 26 patents (55.3%), were filed by global pharmaceutical companies. Fundamentally, the share of pharmaceutical patents is naturally dominated by foreign companies classified as 'global big pharma.' The company with the most patents this year so far is Sanofi-Aventis Korea, with seven patents. Korea Roche and Korea Lilly (4 patents each), Korea Pfizer and Korea AstraZeneca (3 patents each) also received a considerable number of patents.
Meanwhile, domestic pharmaceutical companies dedicated to research and development have also secured competitiveness for new drug development by registering multiple patents. LG Chem and Hanmi Pharmaceutical each acquired five patents, the highest among domestic companies. LG Chem registered a patent foundational to the development of a type 2 diabetes treatment. This patent relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing gemigliptin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for type 2 diabetes patients whose blood sugar is not adequately controlled by insulin alone or in combination with metformin, the existing treatment methods. A representative from LG Chem stated, “We will continue to expand our new drug pipeline capable of securing global competitiveness through active investment.”
Hanmi Pharmaceutical also registered a patent for prevention and treatment of diabetes-related diseases. It concerns a combination formulation containing dapagliflozin L-proline and metformin simultaneously. The company explained that this formulation improves storage stability and physical stability, exhibits excellent dissolution rates, and enhances medication convenience, making it suitable for long-term use. Additionally, Handok-Teva, a joint venture between Handok and Israeli pharmaceutical company Teva, registered three patents; Celltrion, Jeil Pharmaceutical, and Kolon Pharmaceutical each registered two patents; and Yuhan Corporation and Sama Pharmaceutical each acquired one patent. The patent registered by Celltrion relates to a liquid pharmaceutical formulation containing a high concentration of antibodies with low viscosity, excellent stability under harsh conditions, and suitable for long-term storage and subcutaneous administration. This patent appears to be associated with Celltrion’s world-first infliximab subcutaneous injection (SC) formulation, ‘Remsima SC.’
In terms of cumulative patents, domestic pharmaceutical companies lag behind global pharmaceutical companies as the importance of research and development was recognized relatively late. Among the top 10 companies with the most cumulative registered patents, Hanmi Pharmaceutical (73 patents, 4th place) is the only domestic company. Korea Novartis leads with 152 patents, followed by Korea AstraZeneca with 89 patents, and Korea MSD with 80 patents occupying the top three spots. However, through continuous research, domestic pharmaceutical companies are gradually increasing their patent shares. Hanmi Pharmaceutical is recognized for its continuous investment in new drug development bearing fruit. Additionally, LG Chem and Chong Kun Dang (43 patents each), Boryung (33 patents), SK Chemicals (32 patents), Celltrion Pharm (30 patents), and Dong-A ST (25 patents) have all acquired more than 20 patents.
An industry insider commented, “It is no exaggeration to say that the potential of pharmaceutical and bio companies depends on patents related to new drugs,” adding, “Since developing a new drug requires enormous time and cost, the value of patents protecting these drugs will become more important as competition intensifies.”
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