7 October 2015 - The High Court decision to disallow patenting of isolated genetic materials is of concern to innovative medicines sector.

“It is essential that Australia maintains strong and stable intellectual property protection that will support the development of new biological medicines,” said Medicines Australia CEO Tim James.

“We will need to consider the implications of this decision for patents held by our member companies, a number of which are researching and developing new biological medicines.”

“This could have significant negative impact on access to new and innovative biological medicines in the future. Coupled with weak data protection being maintained in Australia under the recent TPP, these decisions are potentially bad news for patients.”

Whilst the High Court’s decision today relates to particular claims within a specific patent, it potentially will have far ranging effects on other patents and future patents held by the companies that discover, research, develop and bring new biological medicines to Australian patients.

For more details, go to: https://medicinesaustralia.com.au/media-release/high-court-decision-could-undermine-development-of-innovative-medicine/