Trade secrets: an alternative for life sciences IP?
Amid confusion over patent eligibility, US life sciences IP owners should consider trade secret law when building their IP protection strategy, argues John A Stone of DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin.
EPO’s G3/19: no turning back?
The EPO’s May 2020 decision in G3/19, on the patentability of certain plants, was among the most controversial in the office’s history. Anna Gregson of Mathys & Squire explores the implications.
Analysis: Kymab’s ‘patent bargain’ clarification and why it matters
Yesterday’s UK Supreme Court decision in Kymab v Regeneron is expected to have profound implications for innovative life sciences companies, according to lawyers.
SPCs: a deep dive into CJEU case law
The CJEU’s many attempts to clarify the law around SPCs has created more questions than answers, as Katie Cambrook and Ben Millson of Bristows explain.
Lanham Act: brand owners’ current weapon of choice
As opportunistic price-gougers look to capitalise on the COVID-19 pandemic, brands such as 3M have turned to trademark law to try and stop them. Brian Michalek and Erin Westbrook of Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr report.
Will the EU’s SPC manufacturing waiver weaken European pharma’s IP?
Despite dire warnings by the US Chamber of Commerce, the impact of the EU’s SPC waiver won’t be known for years, says Paul Williams of Lewis Silkin.
Royalty Pharma: welcome clarity mixed with unwelcome ambiguity
The CJEU’s decision in Royalty Pharma has provided much-anticipated guidance on supplementary protection certificates but has left a lot of uncertainty. Was this the best the CJEU could come up with? Beatriz San Martin of Arnold & Porter reports.
Will Big Pharma get the bug for microbiome therapies?
The exciting field of microbiome therapeutics offers many opportunities for ‘Big Pharma’ players that are staring over the exclusivity cliff, say Craig Thomson, Leena Contarino and Andrew Wells of HGF.
Why things could get ugly over COVID-19 patents
Foreign patents protecting COVID-19 treatments may stall efforts to protect citizens, says Mark Engelman of Hardwicke chambers.
COVID-19: governments look to shield companies from IP enforcement
The UK government’s indemnifying of ventilator manufacturers is a smart solution to potential licensing obstacles, says Andrew Pitts of Mewburn Ellis.