I need to select a molecule for my studies. Since we understand that once a patent expires for a biopharmaceutical sector, that particular drug becomes generic. So how can I go about looking for such expired or about to expire patents.
Every country has its own IPR regulation. Check the Patent databases of your target countries.
Sagnik Mitra ,
There are two search strategies that you can implement:
a) Go to the particular patent office of the target country (as Willi Glettig mentioned each country has its own patent database). In their search engine choose the particular assignee company which uses the molecule as part of their products
b) Try Google patents https://patents.google.com/ and do a search for the particular molecule. or try it on the particular patent office as in the first strategy
I would suggest that you try both strategies Google/patent office since the results vary due to search engine differences.
Regards
Dear Arturo Geigel, This is great. I was worried about WIPO. However, Google seems to cover the complete spectrum. Thanks, Arturo
Safest to get the answer from the relevant local patent office, which should be able to give you (for a fee) a clear statement whether the patent has expired or not. Using Google is riskier
Just be careful on your wording.
When a biopharmaceutical patent expires, that drug does not become generic. It means that competitors are able to produce a 'like' molecule that may or may not be deemed biosimilar. A biosimilar is never a generic. Generic is a term referring to small molecule pharmaceuticals that are typically produced after an originator patent has expired. Generics are identical to the originator, biosimilars are not likely identical to the originator.
Also, make sure the patent you look for is actually a product patent. Some pharmaceuticals also have method of manufacture patents and/or method of treatment patents.
@TeddyHenriksen thank you for the clarification. I was aware but since not very much associated laws and patents of biosimilars hence the mistake.
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