CPA & CCOIC Collaborate to Hold IP Salon on European & Chinese Pharma Patent Application

On 5 May 2014, China Patent Agent (H.K.) Ltd. (CPA) and China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC) collaborated to hold an IP salon in Beijing. The salon focused on the theme of application processing and procedural matters of European and Chinese pharmaceutical patents.

Two guest speakers, Mr. Pär Hjalmarsson and Mr. Erik Krahbichler from Krahbichler Intellectual Property Advisors (KIPA) of Sweden, were invited for the occasion. Mr. Hjalmarsson started his talk with an introduction of the European Patent Organisation, and proceeded to speak on the means, procedures and points to note in applying for European patents, patent litigation and exploitation in Europe, as well as latest status of European unitary patent.

Subsequently, Mr. Krahbichler's expounded on certain issues specific to application for European pharmaceutical patents, including patentable types of invention, extension of protection, drafting of claims, and number of independent claims.

CPA Chemistry Department's deputy manager Mr. Guo Yu also made a presentation, which was on acquisition and exploitation of Chinese pharmaceutical patents. The presentations of the speakers generated a lot of interest among the audience, who raised questions concerning, among others, opposition and invalidation of European patents, and sufficient disclosure of compound invention.

To facilitate communication between the speakers and the audience, CPA Chemistry Department manager Mr. Li Liantao helped summarising in Chinese the guest speakers' English presentations for the audience, while deputy general manager Ms. Tina Tai gave Chinese to English interpretation of the questions raised by the audience.

The event has attracted an attendance of about 60 companies of related fields, such as China National Pharmaceutical Group and China Resources Pharmaceutical Group.