ABSTRACT
The potential therapeutic applications of stem cells are unlimited. However, the ongoing political and social debate surrounding the intellectual property and patenting considerations of stem cell research has led to the implementation of strict legislative regulations. In Australia the patent landscape surrounding stem cells has evolved considerably over the past 20 years. The Australian Patents Act 1990 includes a specific exclusion to the patentability of human beings and of biological processes for their generation. However, this exclusion has received no judicial consideration to date, and so its scope and potential impact on stem cell patents is unclear.
Subject(s)
Patents as Topic/legislation & jurisprudence , Stem Cell Research/legislation & jurisprudence , Adult Stem Cells , Australia , Culture Techniques , Embryonic Stem Cells , Forecasting , Humans , Inventions/legislation & jurisprudenceABSTRACT
The antibody patent landscape has evolved dramatically over the past 30 years, particularly in areas of technology relating to antibody modification to reduce immunogenicity in humans or improve antibody function. In some cases antibody techniques that were developed in the 1980s are still the subject of patent protection in the United States or Canada.
