AGIP Pakistan Takes Part in a Workshop on Patentability

KARACHI - Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (AGIP) Pakistan Office Manager, Aamir F. Khan took part in a three-day national workshop on Patentability, November 10-12, 2008 at Avari Towers, Karachi.
The event was organized by the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Third World Network (TWN) in Karachi.

“The workshop provided an in-depth study and opportunity to exchange information and experiences related to patentability on pharmaceuticals,” Khan said.

“The challenges the Pakistan Patent Office may face on pharmaceuticals patentability were highlighted; which would make it easier for the concerned parties to find the right solutions,” he added.

Speaking at the workshop were; Professor Carlos Maria Correa, , University of Buenos Aires, Argentina , Dr. German Valsequez, public health , innovation and IP director from WHO and Dr. Suchart Chongprasert IP director, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Thailand and Kappoori Madhava Gopa Kumar, from TWN.

The technical issues, tackled during the workshop, were related to the patentability on pharmaceutical patents, polymorphs/hydrates/solvates, Markush claims, analogy process, Enantiomers, methods of treatment, use claims including second indications, TRIPS requirements, experiences in developed countries and the problems that have arisen.

Furthermore, the technical session discussed the necessary mechanism to enhance the examination of pharmaceutical patents from public health perspective, pre-grant and post-grant opposition, the need for a balance of opportunity examination of rules and procedures and scope of TRIPS flexibilities and TRIPS plus provisions.