Medicament characterized by novel dose and usage shall be patentable.

The following subcategories of inventions are already patentable subject matter under current practice.

1. A medicament characterized by a novel component.
2. A medicament characterized by a novel composition.
3. A medicament characterized by a novel use.

The expert committee recommends that the following category of invention become a patentable subject matter as well.

1. A medicament characterized by a novel dose (amount per administration) and a novel usage (dosage interval).

A medicament sold with indications for the dose and usage will infringe the corresponding patent. A medicament without indication will not.

The committee suggests that such a medicament characterized by novel dose and usage be considered to involve inventive steps only when it should dramatically reduce the side effect or improve patients' quality of life (QOL).