The pharmaceutical industry is predicated on innovation and protected formulations
But how exactly does IP interact with pharma? This quick overview explains.
Photo by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash
Words by Dr Martin Douglas Hendry
Introduction
Intellectual property (IP) law plays a crucial role in the pharmaceutical industry. It allows pharmaceutical companies to protect their inventions and creations, ensuring that they are able to profit from their research and development efforts. This, in turn, incentivizes continued innovation and the development of new and improved drugs to treat a wide range of medical conditions.
In the UK, IP law is governed by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), which is responsible for granting patents, trade marks, and other forms of IP protection. In this blog, we will explore the ways in which IP law is applied in the pharmaceutical industry, and how it helps to support innovation and development in the sector.
Patents
Patents are a form of IP protection that allows pharmaceutical companies to prevent others from making, using, or selling their inventions without permission. In the UK, a patent can be granted for a new product or process that is novel, non-obvious, and has industrial application. The patent process typically takes several years to complete, and once granted, a patent will provide protection for a period of up to 20 years.
Trade marks
Trade marks are another important form of IP protection in the pharmaceutical industry. They are used to protect the brand names and logos of pharmaceutical products, helping to prevent others from using similar branding to confuse consumers. In the UK, a trade mark can be registered with the IPO if it is distinctive and has not been registered by another party. Once registered, a trade mark will provide protection for a period of 10 years, which can be renewed indefinitely.
Data exclusivity
In the pharmaceutical industry, data exclusivity refers to the period of time during which clinical trial data used to support the approval of a new drug cannot be used by other companies to support the approval of a similar drug. This period of exclusivity helps to protect the investment made by pharmaceutical companies in conducting clinical trials, and incentivizes continued innovation in the sector. In the UK, data exclusivity is typically granted for a period of 10 years.
Licensing
In some cases, pharmaceutical companies may choose to license their IP to other companies. This allows them to access the expertise, resources, or distribution channels of the licensee, while still maintaining control over their IP. Licensing agreements can be an effective way for pharmaceutical companies to expand their reach and access new markets, while still benefiting from the protection provided by IP law.
Conclusion
IP law plays a crucial role in the pharmaceutical industry, helping to protect the inventions and creations of pharmaceutical companies and incentivize continued innovation. In the UK, IP protection is governed by the IPO, which offers a range of tools, including patents, trade marks, data exclusivity, and licensing, to support the development of the pharmaceutical sector. By understanding and effectively utilizing these tools, pharmaceutical companies in the UK can continue to drive innovation and improve the quality of healthcare for patients around the world.
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ABOUT VIRTUOSO LEGAL?
Virtuoso Legal is a team of intellectual property specialists based in Leeds and London - operating worldwide. Virtuoso Legal's team of IP experts have successfully tried cases in the IPEC, High Court, Court of Appeals and United Kingdom Supreme Court. In addition, the team assist companies in creating, commercialising and protecting the big ideas that make their business unique. The firm and its professionals are ranked yearly in legal directories such as the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, cementing their status as a Top 2% law firm in the world.
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