{"id":4172,"date":"2026-02-25T08:25:50","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T07:25:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iph-multisite.berta-bewegt.ch\/?page_id=4172"},"modified":"2026-02-25T08:25:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T07:25:50","slug":"schutz-geistigen-eigentums","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.interpharma.ch\/en\/themen\/fuhrend-in-forschung-entwicklung\/schutz-geistigen-eigentums\/","title":{"rendered":"Protection of intellectual property"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Protection of intellectual property is a central\nfactor in the success of the research-based pharmaceutical industry in\nSwitzerland and an important element in creating incentives for the sector to\ncontinue investing in research and the development of new medicines to treat\ndiseases that are currently incurable. Different instruments are used to\nprotect different types of intellectual property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Medical discoveries are usually protected by\npatents. The data generated during the process of authorising medicinal\nproducts can be protected against use by competitors for a certain time through\nfirst applicant protection. And finally, a trademark confers on the holder the\nright to use that mark to identify goods and services and to use it as they see\nfit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-disclosure-in-return-for-rights-of-use\">Disclosure in return for rights of use<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A patent is a protected title granted by the\nstate for a technical invention. In legal terms, an invention is a solution to\na technical problem. Inventions are patentable if they are new and not obvious\nto an expert in the matter and can be exploited commercially. The holder of a\npatent has a maximum of 20 years during which they can exclude others from\nexploiting the invention commercially. During this period, third parties can be\nprevented from, for example, manufacturing, using, selling or importing the\ninvention without permission. In return for this exclusive right, the invention\nmust be explained in exact detail and disclosed publicly. The patent holder can\nthen use the technical solution as an important source of information for\nfurther developments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-protection-as-an-incentive-to-invest\">Protection as an incentive to invest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to patent protection, the\nresearch-based pharmaceutical industry can also benefit from first applicant\nprotection. This is a separate form of intellectual property protection granted\nfor confidential data that is independent of patent law. In the pharmaceutical\nindustry, these data are compiled during the course of a clinical trial to\ndemonstrate the safety, quality and efficacy of an active ingredient, a task\nthat is time-consuming and cost-intensive. First applicant protection can\nprovide additional legal protection for the patent holder, provided this person\nwas the first to notify the invention. However, in many situations first\napplicant protection is the only form of protection available, and thus the\nonly incentive for investment. First applicant protection and its duration are\nindependent of the validity of a patent and the length of protection it\nprovides. First applicant protection obliges the competent authorities to\nprotect the confidential documentation and study results that have been\nsubmitted by the first applicant as part of the authorisation process from\ndisclosure and unfair commercial use by third parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most significant role played by the\ntrademark in the pharmaceutical industry is the confidence it generates in\ndoctors and patients, who can be sure that they are obtaining a product that\nwill meet their expectations in terms of quality and provenance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-patents\"><strong>Patents<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Comprehensive patent protection is of fundamental importance for Switzerland as a research and pharma hub. The research and development process for a new medicinal product is long, complex and expensive \u2013 this is why so few sectors are so heavily dependent on strong patent protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The legislation governing patents ensures that the patenting of discoveries does not lead to the creation of unilateral monopolies or dependencies and does not hinder research. In return for the patent protection that has been granted, the holder is required to disclose the discovery when the patent is applied for and to explain it in a way that is evident to a specialist in the field. Because of this obligation, the interested public is able to find out the current status of the research and to discuss the pros and cons of the possible commercial use of a specific discovery. It is possible to use the discovery for research purposes without restriction, despite its being patented (this is known as the research privilege), and the same applies to private use. Compulsory licences, which are mandated by law, encourage patent holders to grant licences voluntarily. In the medicines sector, practical considerations mean that this protection lasts between 10 and 15 years from the date on which the product is granted marketing authorisation. After the period of patent protection has expired, anyone can use the discovery (commercially) without restriction. Patent law thus establishes a balance between the interests of the patent holder, other parties involved in research and the public. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-incentive-for-medical-innovations\">Incentive for medical innovations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The innovations produced by the research-based pharmaceutical industry contribute to the high quality of our healthcare system. Patent protection, and the associated incentive to innovate, is a very important factor in creating a regulatory environment that is conducive to research and innovation. Digitalisation is an aspect on which great attention is focused; it is already bringing about a fundamental change in the way medicinal products are developed and used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is still no adequate form of protection for data, algorithms and the results of the data analyses that lead to innovative therapies. There is therefore a need to develop the legal framework for intellectual property (IP) in a direction that ensures adequate protection for innovations. Close cooperation between the sector and the Swiss authorities and other partners will therefore play a central role in establishing a world-leading data-protection and IP landscape for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The generation of clinical data as a precondition for the authorisation of new medicinal products is a time-consuming and cost-intensive endeavour. The creator of these data is entitled to relevant compensation that must continue to be ensured in the future through modern document protection. Document protection is of elementary importance in situations in which a therapy cannot be patented.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Protection of intellectual property is a central factor in the success of the research-based pharmaceutical industry in Switzerland and an important element in creating incentives for the sector to continue investing in research and the development of new medicines to treat diseases that are currently incurable. 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