title: Inherent Anticipation in the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industries.
abstract: Pharmaceutical and biotech research often involves discovering new properties of, or new methods to use, existing compositions. The doctrine of inherent anticipation, however, prevents the issuance and/or validity of a patent for discoveries deemed to have been implicitly disclosed in the prior art. This can be a barrier to patent rights in these technologies. Inherent anticipation therefore creates uncertainty for patent protection in the pharmaceutical and biotech sciences. Despite this uncertainty, Federal Circuit jurisprudence provides guidance on the boundaries of the inherent anticipation doctrine. In view of the case law, certain strategies may be employed to protect inventions that may potentially be viewed as inherent in the prior art.
authors: LeClairRyan, A Professional Corporation, Rochester, New York 14625.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Goldman
authors: LeClairRyan, A Professional Corporation, Rochester, New York 14625.
authors: Georgia
authors: G
authors: Evans
authors: LeClairRyan, A Professional Corporation, Rochester, New York 14625.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Zappia
mesh_terms: D001709:Biotechnology / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018973:Intellectual Property; D062069:Inventions / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008297:Male