A niche blog dedicated to the issues that arise when supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) extend patents beyond their normal life -- and to the respective positions of patent owners, investors, competitors and consumers. The blog also addresses wider issues that may be of interest or use to those involved in the extension of patent rights. You can email The SPC Blog here

Thursday 31 August 2017

Call for comments for C-443/17 (Abraxis Bioscience)

The UK IPO is seeking comments on CJEU case C-443/17 (Abraxis Bioscience) with a view to advising the UK government as to whether it wishes to make representations in this reference.  Comments should be sent by email to policy@ipo.gov.uk by 6 September 2017.

As a refresher, the question referred to the CJEU in this case is as follows:
Is Article 3(d) of the SPC Regulation to be interpreted as permitting the grant of an SPC where the marketing authorisation referred to in Article 3(b) is the first authorisation within the scope of the basic patent to place the product on the market as a medicinal product and where the product is a new formulation of an old active ingredient?