Life Sciences & Pharmaceuticals

“...pharmaceutical intellectual property rights are essential for the continued innovation of new medicines and therefore exist in the interests of patients and society at large.”

In today’s global economy, knowledge is emerging as one of the most fundamental economic forces. Strong IP systems can incite funding into knowledge development and, thus, promote innovation. This is particularly relevant for the pharmaceutical industry, which depends on IP protection to support its investments into medical research. Developing a new drug and successfully bringing it to market is a risky, lengthy and expensive venture. As such, pharmaceutical companies vigorously protect their Intellectual property. It is largely recognized that pharmaceutical IP rights are essential for the continued innovation of new medicines and, therefore, exist in the interests of patients and society at large.

Intellectual property is increasingly important in life sciences and key drivers in market dynamics. Established commercial players know how to utilize these dynamics and intellectual property may assist a deal or provide a bargaining chip in a difficult negotiation.

The life sciences market is divided into three segments, where the bases for product development and product cycles vary and call for different use of the exclusive rights afforded by registered and un-registered IP rights:

Pharmaceuticals – each new product is the result of expensive and extended product development (involving a significant level of risk);
Biotech – kits and assays build on brand new technology in an area where technical progress is made on a daily basis; and
Medical devices – each product may comprise elements from areas as diverse as chemistry, electronics, basic mechanics and information or communication technology.

The pharmaceutical industry can be considered as one of the most complex industries for intellectual property management. Specifically, it is heavily regulated with regard to trademark applications. These strict regulations and processes are in place to prevent confusion or misunderstandings among medical professionals and consumers when using medicinal products, which may otherwise lead to fatal health problems.

When a trademark or copyright is required by a pharmaceutical company, it demands attention to detail and specialized knowledge throughout complex processes.

Biotechnology – the exploitation of biological processes for industrial purposes – has been described as the "New Industrial Revolution". In the last 30 years, the biotechnology sector has experienced phenomenal growth throughout the world. The protection of IP provides an incentive for the biotechnology industry to invest time and money in research and development for biotechnology innovation – the driving force for the unprecedented benefits in the quality of human life that biotechnology is expected to bring. Such benefits may not be so forthcoming without the underlying profit motivation afforded by IP protection. BSS Pakistan can help reap those benefits.

BSS Pakistan has represented medical device manufacturers and is especially in tune to the needs of these companies. With extensive experience preparing and prosecuting IP related to medical devices, the firm can help medical device manufacturers clear products, prepare secureability opinions, conduct validity and invalidity studies, prepare and file IP applications, design around existing IP’s, and provide infringement / non-infringement opinions.

Imagine if your IP could work harder

Could intellectual property work harder for your organization? Whether it's a one-off IP application or other intellectual property protection, or a complete IP strategy, imagine benefiting from our expertise in pharmaceutical and life sciences IP.