Australian businesses prepare for the new privacy regime
Minter Ellison’s patents team has a wealth of experience across all aspects of domestic and international patent advisory and dispute matters – ranging from strategy to licensing, freedom to operate, opposition, infringement and revocation proceedings. We are particularly experienced in working as part of global litigation teams coordinating strategy across jurisdictions. Our clients span the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical, consumer, industrial and agricultural industries.
Our multidisciplinary team includes dual-qualified lawyers with scientific qualifications and experience in chemistry and biotechnology. Many have worked in the United Kingdom with global firms, bringing with them substantial experience in UK patent litigation and pan-European intellectual property issues, including in the fields of transdermal drug delivery systems, monoclonal antibodies and mechanical patents.
The Australian Government has launched another inquiry into the compulsory licensing provisions in the Patents Act 1990 (Cth). This alert outlines the scope of the inquiry by the Productivity Commission, and how you can make a submission.
The Full Federal Court of Australia recently found that the majority of Wyeth's patent claims covering a method of administering an antidepressant compound were invalid, based on a finding that the patent was not entitled to its earliest priority date. The decision highlights the care required when amending patent claims to ensure they are not broadened to the extent that they cease to be fairly based on the specification and any priority documents.
Once their compound patents have expired many blockbuster drugs remain protected by secondary 'method of treatment' patents. The validity and enforceability of these secondary patents can be less certain in many jurisdictions. In Sanofi-Aventis Australia Pty Ltd v Apotex Pty Ltd (No.3) [2011] FCA 346, the Federal Court found that the secondary patent protecting Sanofi-Aventis' blockbuster leflunomide drug was valid and infringed – a surprising outcome, at least initially, based on the facts of the case.