China v US: what can be patented in the life sciences field?

Regarding patentable subject matter, the TRIPS Agreement specifies in a rticle 27.1 that patents shall be available “for any inventions, whether products or processes, in all technical fields”. In the US, the Supreme Court established the principle in the decision of Diamond v Chakrabarty in 1981 that “patentable subject matter should include anything under the sun that is made by man”.

Already registered?

For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription that we can add you to for FREE, please email Adrian Tapping at atapping@newtonmedia.co.uk

More on this story

Americas

UK govt backs DeepMind spinout’s $2.1bn plan to ‘solve all disease’ with AI

14 May 2026 Isomorphic Labs said the funding round, led by venture firm Thrive Capital, would be used to further its drug design engine and support hiring targets.

Americas

BMS signs $15.2bn deal with China’s top pharma company

14 May 2026 The agreement is the latest in a string of major deals between Hengrui and multinational drugmakers, and will see the parties jointly develop assets while licensing others.

Americas

Medtech company sues over seven patents for incontinence products

13 May 2026 PureWick claims that two rivals infringed its external catheter and urine-management technology in their medical devices.