Several years ago, drug maker Gilead Science Inc. applied for a Chinese patent for the use of Remdesivir against coronaviruses. Remdesivir was originally intended to treat Ebola but was also shown to inhibit coronaviruses, such as SARS.
Recently, scientists at the government-run Wuhan Institute of Virology, along with a military laboratory, reportedlyapplied to patent the use of Remdesivir to treat the specific coronavirus, Covid-19, which is being blamed for the recent outbreak.
No decision has been made regarding the Gilead patent application. However, if approved, as a member of the WTO, the Chinese government may be able to use the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) Agreement to obtain a compulsory licence for Remdesivir. If so, the Chinese government would decide, subject to any appeal, what payment Gilead would receive.
In considering the Wuhan Institute’s application, the Chinese patent office will likely have to consider issues of anticipation and obviousness.
For its part, Gilead is helping end the current crisis by working with health authorities. The company is reportedly providing Remdesivir for emergency use in clinical trials.
In vitro studies of Remdesivir and chloroquine have been published in Cell Research, stating that the mixture is effective for inhibiting Covid-19.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly is reportedly evaluating a proposal from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (“CIPO”) that would accelerate patent applications in artificial intelligence…
Veteran rock photographer, Neil Zlozower, reportedly sued the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for allegedly using his copyrighted images of Eddie Van Halen in its museum exhibits without his permission…
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington (“District Court”) reportedly reinstated the Canadian government’s patent for the “Staccato” cherry, developed by Agriculture and…
As reported by the Associated Press, Columbia Sportswear has sued Columbia University, claiming that the university infringed the sportswear company’s trademark and breached an agreement between the…
Verizon and Headwater Research LLC have reportedly agreed to settle a patent infringement lawsuit that ended with a $175 million USD jury verdict against the telecom giant. Headwater, a…
In a recent copyright infringement case, the Jiangsu High Court ruled in favor of Nintendo, awarding the company approximately $28,000 USD, or 200,000 RMB, and an injunction against an unnamed…
