In this sector IP can be the most important asset to an organisation after its people.  Patents are a way to demonstrate credibility, raise commercial interest and revenue, advertise, negotiate with collaborators or competitors, as well as secure market position. 

If you believe what you read in the media, biotechnology is the unwelcome face of the patent system, but in fact very few developments cannot be protected by patents; newly identified genes can be patented by excluding them in their natural environment, most stem cell technology is patentable as are many transgenic organisms.  Therapeutics can be protected without an understanding of their mode of action and most jurisdictions allow the protection of developments in dosage forms and therapeutic regimens.  Our briefing notes provide more detail on patenting in some of these areas.

• Patentability of Micro-organisms
• Patentability of Stem Cells
• Patenting Antibodies
• Patenting Biotechnological Inventions
• Where did you get your Biological Material?

There is more good news.  The path to market for any pharmaceutical is a long one but patent applications often remain pending for 7 years or more, allowing you to respond to changing business priorities and shifts in the focus of the technology you are developing.  Patent delays, which might seem frustrating in some sectors, can provide welcome flexibility when lead candidates are still being identified and clinical trials ongoing.

If you would like further information or advice, or a free, no-obligation cost estimate, please contact one of our patent attorneys shown on the right, or send an email to us at mail@dehns.com and we'll reply as soon as possible.