Government partnership symposium examines intellectual property in healthcare
"Enabling Medical Innovation through Intellectual Property: from diagnosis to therapy"
One hundred and fifty experts came together at the DTI Conference Centre on 1 March to learn about and discuss the current intellectual property issues in the healthcare technologies of regenerative medicine and genetic diagnostics. Delegates ranged from university technology transfer offices, NHS Innovation hubs, the UK Genetic Testing Network, industry, academia, and Department of Health, DTI and law firms.
Regenerative medicine is likely to become a mainstream therapy during the coming century. Equally, genetic diagnostics will play an increasingly greater role in predicting diseases and pin-pointing when disease occurs. In his keynote Speech, Malcolm Wicks, Minister of Science and Innovation emphasised that in the growing knowledge-based economy intellectual property rights play an ever important role:
"Intellectual property is the currency of innovation" and "captures the commercial value of knowledge in the innovation chain", said Mr Wicks.
New technologies undoubtedly bring new challenges to society and this is especially true of technologies concerned with human health. The government want to get the balance right, Mr Wicks told delegates:
"Some of you, our stakeholders, have raised concerns about the patenting of inventions used in genetic testing and stem cells. The biotechnology industry also rightly seeks the support of government to make sure it remains competitive. The government is carefully listening to these views. As a result, the Patent Office, the DTI’s BioScience Unit and the NHS National Innovation Centre have joined-up to bring you this symposium today."
Speakers from a start-up company and industry spoke about their perspectives of the IP landscape. The Patent Office and a patent lawyer then dissected the complexities of contemporary patent law. Afternoon discussion workshops looked at the role of IP in transferring technology to the market place and also at bringing new technologies into an organisation through licensing. The impact of IP and regulations on stem cell technologies was also the subject of lively discussion and the financing and funding implications of starting up a technology business were explored. A Vice President from Cambridge Antibody Technology gave an illuminating account of how from small beginnings at Cambridge University in 1990 this biotechnology company has become a leading player in the biotechnology market.
Liz Coleman, Director Intellectual Property and Innovation Directorate, Patent Office said;
"The law of Intellectual property might be seen as complex but it is vital that it is accessible and understood by the public and private sector if the UK is to compete in the global economy. The UK is particularly strong in its research and development activity in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. The Patent Office has now implemented a comprehensive innovation support strategy to help promote the economy through IP. We organised this event because we wanted to help our stakeholders in the healthcare sector get to grips with IP and use it effectively."
Maire Smith, Director of Technology and Product Innovation, NHS National Innovation Centre said;
"Partnership is the key to realising the IP potential in the field of regenerative medicine technologies. It is these partnerships between commercial bodies, Government organisations and academia that drive innovation – for the benefit of all."
Dr Martin Anthony, Deputy Director of the DTI's Bioscience Unit said;
"The Department's Bioscience Unit main aim is to enhance the competitiveness of the life science-based industries, who now account for some 40% of all UK industrial R&D. Valuation and success of companies in these sectors is critically dependant on IP. Hence the Bioscience Unit has played an important role in supporting the better appreciation and understanding of IP issues and its management eg through the Biotechnology Exploitation Platforms Challenge Programme."
Editors' notes:
- A full copy of the Minister’s speech
is available - On 2 April 2007 The Patent Office will change its name to UK Intellectual Property Office to better reflect the wide range of Intellectual property services it offers.
- The Patent Office is an Executive Agency of DTI within OSI and responsible for the national framework of Intellectual Property rights, comprising patent, designs, trade marks and copyright
