New MPA service!!!

For those concerned with producing ethical pharmaceuticals, it will not be necessary to spell out the competitiveness of this global arena, particularly those concerned with patent-expired material.

Knowledge of patent expiries on pharmaceuticals has always been an essential component of necessary business intelligence. With the tightening of patent laws across the globe, including GATT and TRIPS regulations, as well as the pharmaceutical patent term extension, it is imperative to keep up with the competition by being armed with the best information available.

Knowing when patents expire on targeted products is absolutely necessary. The apex of this requirement is knowledge of relevant pharmaceutical patent term extension. In Europe this is known as Supplementary Protection Certificates. In Europe this regulation ensures 15 years of exclusivity, so knowledge of patent expiry maybe irrelevant if that patent has been granted an SPC.

Nearly all new products coming onto the market will have extended exclusivity through an SPC. These are evaluated and granted at the national level; therefore for each country and EU member state of interest, knowledge of the locally obtained SPC is essential.

As a consultancy MPA have been monitoring this situation since its inception in January 1993 and it is now launching its SPC database that will provide information for the following countries:

This service provides all relevant data information on SPC applications including Expiry dates….and Estimated Expiry dates on pending applications. In fact, all the information necessary to judge the availability of key products.

With MPA’s extensive experience in patent intelligence covering over 25 years, we have been fully aware of the importance of SPC’s in Europe. Last year we announced the creation of a new MPA service, i.e. ‘European SPC’s’. We have compiled a database covering EU member states which is now ready to be offered.

The information to be provided will be as follows:

*All EU members will be covered, as listed. CEEC (Accession States) will also be included in due course.

**Estimated SPC expiry. Public records do not show this date, but as MPA considers this a vital element of the intelligence an estimate is calculated based on known information.

The information will be supplied in a protected CD form and/or hard copy report form. The service will be provided for £3,500 with renewals and updates supplied annually at £2,500 per annum.

Continuing the practice established and maintained by MPA, this service will incorporate a consultative backup and interpretative facility to guide clients through the intricacies of patent intelligence.

If you are interested and would like to receive a demonstration disc, complete and return the following form.

The service is now available and for the first 100 subscribers MPA will be pleased to offer a discounted licence. For more information just contact us.

and send it to
MPA Business Services Limited,
by fax +44 (0)20 8886 0319
or by post to 98, Bourne Hill, London, N13 4LY, UK or by

E-mail: martin@mpaservices.net.