EPO published European patent application EP4245338A2 on March 25, 2026, for an induction heating aerosol generating apparatus and method developed by KT & G Corporation. The invention falls under IPC classifications A24F 47/00 (smoking articles), H05B 6/10 and H05B 6/40 (induction heating), and A61M 15/06 and A61M 11/04 (medical aerosol delivery devices). The patent is designated for protection across 34 European countries including DE, FR, GB, IT, ES, NL, and others.

Manufacturers developing competing aerosol or inhalation delivery products should review this patent to assess potential freedom-to-operate implications. Patent grants confer exclusionary rights but do not impose compliance obligations on third parties. Parties uncertain about infringement exposure should seek legal counsel regarding design-around options or licensing opportunities.