Latest News & Features
Biotechnology
For companies that are considering conducting patent litigation around the world, the EPO is a very useful forum for testing their strategy or opposition tactics at a relatively low cost. Hazel Ford and Leythem Wall of Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner describe the numerous advantages of the procedures available. 30 April 2015
Europe
In the second instalment of a regular column on the unitary patent and Unified Patent Court by law firm Taylor Wessing, Paul England and Simon Cohen discuss how watching the new system will also mean monitoring the old one. 23 April 2015
Americas
A product of decomposing leaf litter, exDNA could be a powerful tool for interacting with biological systems. If so, the IP associated with its applications may be an active area in the coming years, says non-practising barrister Charles Brabin. 16 April 2015
Genetics
The new CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system is set to revolutionise the treatment of genetic diseases, but there’s a fight to secure rights to the platform. LSIPR takes a look at the major players in this exciting technology area, and what patent disputes may arise as it develops. 9 April 2015
Americas
There are important differences between the EPO and the USPTO in the assessment of patentable subject matter in life sciences. Depending on the technology involved, patentees may elect national or regional applications as a useful alternative to PCT filings, as Joachim Wachenfeld and Oswin Ridderbusch explain. 2 April 2015
Biotechnology
Some of the parties involved in the landmark patent case Biogen v Medeva met in London in February to discuss the dispute in front of an invited audience. Here is an overview of their memories and the lessons they learned. 25 March 2015
Big Pharma
Orphan medicinal products in Europe benefit from a range of incentives, but the greatest of these is the promise of receiving a ten-year period of true market exclusivity, says Trevor Cook of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr. 20 March 2015
Americas
In the battle for marketing approval of a biosimilar version of Neupogen under the BPCIA, applicant Sandoz stymied Amgen’s chance to join the so-called patent dance. Andrew Williams of McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff ponders the implications. 12 March 2015
Asia
As India appears to forge closer trade relations with the US, will the country introduce a data exclusivity legal provision and what impact would this have? LSIPR investigates. 5 March 2015
Asia
The battle between pharmaceutical and generics companies in India is once again in the spotlight, with a decision pending on another compulsory licence. The players this time are Novartis and Cipla, with the former already having drawn first blood. LSIPR investigates. 3 March 2015