GLIVEC CASE: APEX COURT STAYS PROCEEDINGS BEFORE IP BOARD
The Supreme Court has stayed proceedings before the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB), regarding the hearing on the rejected patent application of Novartis’ cancer drug Glivec. The development follows a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by Hyderabad-based Natco Pharma at the apex court.

SUVEN BAGS US PRODUCT PATENT
Suven Life Sciences Ltd has bagged a second product patent from the US for its selective serotonin receptor affinity compounds, which are being developed as therapeutic agents. According to the disclosure of the patented invention, the compounds are useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Schizophrenia and Huntington’s.

INDIA MAY TURN BIG PRODUCER OF GM RICE, VEGETABLES BY 2010
India has the potential to become a major producer of transgenic rice and several genetically modified (GM) vegetables by 2010, according to a research report by Rabo India Finance Ltd on the Indian agri-biotech sector. Stating that much attention was being paid to research on GM rice, Rabo India said that the aim was to develop saline and drought tolerant varieties, but no GM strain had been commercially released.

NEW PHARMACEUTICAL PATENT CONTROVERSY IN INDIA OVER SWISS COMPANY ROCHE’S ANTI-CANCER DRUG TARCEVA
The Delhi High Court will hear the final arguments in a high profile injunction application by the Swiss company Roche against Indian generic company Cipla, which launched a generic version of Tarceva intending it to sell the drug for Rs.1600 ($41)/tablet in comparison to Roche’s price of Rs.4800 ($122)/tablet and also despite the fact that Roche had already obtained a patent for Erlotinib (the active ingredient in the drug) last year in 2007. Roche sued Cipla for patent infringement and applied for a temporary injunction in which Cipla counter-claimed that the patent was invalid and should be revoked. The basic question the judge has to decide now is whether the drug is a derivation of an earlier patented molecule which might be decided making reference and interpretation of Section 3(d) of The Indian Patents Act, 1970 which states that salts and other derivatives of known substances shall be considered to be the same substance, unless they differ significantly in properties with regard to efficacy.

THE UK-IPO RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THE LAUNCH OF A NEW FAST TRACK SERVICE FOR TRADE MARK APPLICATIONS AND A NEW VERSION OF THE ONLINE PATENT FILING SYSTEM
UK-IPO announced the launch of a new fast track service for trade mark applications, which provides quick registration of a trade mark with effect from 6th
April 2008. UK-IPO also launched a new improved version of the online patent filing system, which allows users to request an online certified copy of patent applications, provide information about late declarations of priority and request entry of an international patent application into the UK national phase. Over the next few months further enhancements in the online services are expected.

BEIJING COURT UPHOLDS FINDING AGAINST YAHOO CHINA
The Beijing Higher People's Court has upheld a finding that Yahoo China facilitated the infringement of copyright. Yahoo China claimed that search engines should not be held responsible for content on other websites; however, the court rejected this argument finding in favour of the International Federation of Phonographic Industries. Yahoo China have stated that they hope to reach an agreement with music companies allowing for the creation of a licensed download service.