Latest News & Features
Americas
No patent application directed to CRISPR has yet fallen foul of the EU’s Biotech Directive on the basis of the human embryo use exception, but the technology is still in its nascent stage. Ashley Roughton of Nabarro reports. 31 March 2016
Big Pharma
Despite a large body of EPO case law accepting second medical use claims that recite a novel technical effect, all eyes are on how courts in EPC member states will deal with infringement cases arising from such patents. Joachim Wachenfeld and Oswin Ridderbusch of Vossius & Partner report. 24 March 2016
Americas
Patent owners and petitioners in the life sciences industry who raise arguments surrounding commercial success during PTAB trials face substantive and procedural roadblocks, argue Christopher Jagoe and James McConnell of Kirkland & Ellis. 17 March 2016
Africa
The UK Intellectual Property Office has issued a favourable decision on an SPC for an “innovative” combination product. David Carling and Michael Pears of Potter Clarkson explain the reasoning and examine its implications. 9 March 2016
Big Pharma
In February the English High Court ruled that Actavis had not indirectly infringed a patent owned by Eli Lilly directed to cancer drug Alimta. David Read of Bartle Read reports. 8 March 2016
Africa
Despite several UK court decisions centring on second medical use patents, there are no foolproof ways for generic manufacturers to avoid infringement, as Deborah Hart of Kilburn & Strode explains. 3 March 2016
Big Pharma
The European Commission is considering whether ‘export waivers’ should be introduced in order to partly relax the rules on supplementary protection certificates. Gareth Morgan of Olswang explains more. 1 March 2016
Americas
Counterfeiting poses one of the greatest threats to the pharmaceutical industry, but there are good reasons to believe that companies are tackling the problem head on. Stephen Ward of Pinkerton reports. 25 February 2016
Europe
The IP landscape in Europe for the CRISPR gene-editing technology is very murky, making it difficult for potential licensees, says Catherine Coombes of HGF. 18 February 2016
Americas
During nearly 30 years as a US Supreme Court justice, Antonin Scalia had the unenviable tasks of ruling on homosexuality, the right to carry hand guns, and abortion. Nevertheless, it was a mystery patent case that proved the most difficult. WIPR looks back at some of the most important IP cases of the past few years and how Scalia voted on them. 18 February 2016