Exploring Local Biodiversity Resources
It is often claimed that Malaysia is rich in biodiversity resources, that we have the world’s oldest rainforests, that our rainforest is pristine and virgin, untouched commercially by the human hand. But are we taking advantage of this biodiversity asset to serve the needs of the country or the global community? Do we have the technical […]
[The Petri Dish] Exploring Local Biodiversity Resources
[The Petri Dish] Ban on Stem Cell Patenting-Big Mistake In The Making
Viagra Attacks Siagra in Indonesia
Who doesn’t know VIAGRA (Sildenafil Citrate)? This brand name or trademark owned by US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc., for treating erectile dysfunction, is well-known all over the world, and Indonesia is no exception. The VIAGRA trademark has been registered in Indonesia since 15 November 1996 for goods in class 05, particularly for medication of erectile […]
[Trademart] Intellectual Property Rights in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Patents & DCA Approval
If a pharmaceutical drug enjoys patent protection in Malaysia under the Patents Act 1983, can the Drug Control Authority (DCA) of the Ministry of Health grant marketing approval for another generic drug allegedly falling within the claims of the patent and applied for by a rival company? And if marketing approval is given, can the […]
Tough Times Ahead For The Pharmaceutical Industry?
Things have been going very well for the pharmaceutical industry over the past decade or so. A series of “blockbuster” drugs has been bankrolling the industry players fortunate enough to own the rights to those drugs and at the same time financing their search for the “Next Big Drug”. Global spending on pharmaceutical drugs exceeded […]
[The Petri Dish] Is Biotechnology the new mantra for wealth creation?
Unilab Trumps Pfizer in the Philippines
In a recent case at the Makati Regional Trial Court of the Philippines, the world’s largest pharmaceutical company, Pfizer Inc., lost a court action to obtain an injunction preventing a Filipino generic drug manufacturing company, United Laboratories Inc. (Unilab) from producing and selling its version of Atorvastatin Calcium which is the subject matter of Philippine […]
Review: Updates in the Malaysian Patents Act 1983
The Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) has recently announced that the Malaysian Patents Act 1983 will be amended to bring the Act into substantive conformity with international practices. Our attorneys attended a brief discussion with MyIPO and representatives from various local organizations in relation to the amendments, which will be presented at the House […]