Australia investigates counterfeit N95s in hospitals
The Australian government has ordered an investigation into the sale of counterfeit face masks in the country, following warnings from health experts and local media reports over the prevalence of fake equipment.
Personal Genomics takes PacBio dispute to Chinese court
Taiwanese biotechnology company Personal Genomics is using California’s Pacific Biosciences for patent infringement in China.
Merck KGaA wins injunction after MSD trademark suit
The English High Court has finalised the terms of a trademark injunction against US pharmaceutical company Merck, Sharp and Dohme (MSD), in favour of German rival Merck KGaA.
Cochlear's $268m damages bill stands, says Fed Circuit
Australian ear implants manufacturer Cochlear must pay $268 million for infringing a patent owned by a US medical research organisation.
Canada takes nursery to court over cherry trees
Canada’s Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food has accused a Washington-based nursery, a fruit seller, and a fruit grower of infringing a plant patent covering the Staccato type of cherry tree.
US rebukes IP wording in WHO’s pandemic resolution
The US has joined consensus on a World Health Organization resolution on the global handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, but disassociated itself from the IP and reproductive health services wording within the resolution.
US govt argues Gilead’s patent claims are ‘insufficient’
The US government has urged a Delaware federal court to throw out patent infringement claims from Gilead Sciences over HIV prevention medicines.
WHO and Costa Rica to launch COVID-19 technology patent pool
The World Health Organization and Costa Rica will launch a technology pooling initiative to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sanofi under fire over priority US access to COVID-19 vaccine
Sanofi is facing criticism after CEO Paul Hudson said the US was likely to have priority access on any COVID-19 vaccine produced by the French pharmaceutical company.
EPO clarifies law on plant and animal patentability
The European Patent Office has said that plants and animals exclusively obtained by essentially biological processes are not patentable.
