18th Mar 2024
“With an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases and almost 10.0 million cancer deaths in 2020, cancer is a major global health threat”. This, quoted in the European Patent Office (EPO) “Patents and innovation against cancer” report of February 2024, highlights the scale of the challenge to researchers in the fight against this devastating disease.
20th Nov 2023
In a UK Patents Court case decided earlier this year, Gilead Sciences v NuCana, Gilead sought revocation of the UK designations of two of NuCana’s European patents, EP 2955190B1 and EP 3904365B1, from the same family. These patents covered NuCana’s anti-cancer drug acelarin. NuCana counterclaimed that their patents were infringed by Gilead’s anti-viral products containing the compound sofosbuvir.
3rd Nov 2023
The introduction of the contraceptive pill in 1960 gave women economic freedom, sexual liberation and unprecedented autonomy over their bodies. However, over 60 years after this milestone, and given the adverse side effects of hormonal contraception, there is a considerable way to go to improve methods of contraception.
18th Oct 2023
Today (18th October 2023) is World Menopause Day. According to the NHS, this day is needed to: “raise awareness, break the stigma and highlight the support available for improving health and wellbeing for those experiencing menopause.” Currently in the U.K. there are an estimated 13 million peri or post-menopausal women, with 77%[1] finding at least […]
2nd Oct 2023
In late May, the US Supreme Court published its opinion in Amgen v. Sanofi (Amgen, Inc. v. Sanofi, et al. 598 U.S. ____ (2023)). At issue was whether the specifications of Amgen’s US patents (US 8,829,165 and US 8,859,741) met the enablement requirement of the US statute, as outlined in 35 U.S.C. . § 112(a) — that is to say, whether the patents described the invention “in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art…to make and use [the invention].”
23rd Aug 2023
The non-invasive glucose monitoring device market is anticipated to progress substantially over the coming years. Industry expansion is likely to be propelled by the ever increasing prevalence of diabetes in modern society. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), around 540 million adults (20-79 years) have diabetes, with almost half unaware that they have the condition. The IDF Diabetes Atlas projects the number of people living with diabetes will rise to 643 million by 2030 and to 783 million by 2045. Those who are diagnosed are required to frequently monitor their blood glucose levels to ensure they are at a safe level.
30th Mar 2023
To extend the protection of patented human and veterinary medicinal products, supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) can be obtained. SPCs are national rights that can be obtained for all EU member states and some non-EU states including the UK. For an SPC to be granted, the following four requirements must be met
25th Jul 2022
Drugs vs. Medical Devices – Imbalances in European IP protection