Expert commitee publishs final report on patent reform in advanced medicine and medical device field

On May 29, 2009, the expert committee published their final report on patent reform in the field of advanced medicine and medical devices. The report discusses what kind of inventions in above fields should be and should not be patented under the Japanese patent practice. The Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters, whose chairman is Prime Minister Taro Asoh, has summoned the committee early this year. Member of the committee includes physicians or professors of medical schools, patent attorneys, lawyers, a journalist, professors of social sciences, representatives from industrial sectors such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Their recommendations will be implemented by early next year at the latest.