China implemented major changes to the patent law that went into effect on January 20, 2024, including the introduction of the pharmaceutical patent term compensation system, marking a pivotal shift particularly relevant to the pharmaceutical sector. This is following the adoption of the 2023 Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Patent Law and the Guidelines for Patent Examination in accordance with the new Chinese Patent Law.
The update, which affects stakeholders across the industry, introduces a nuanced approach to patent protection, focusing on new drug-related inventions. Ming Liu, a patent attorney at the Purplevine IP in Beijing, explained that the term “new drug-related invention patent” includes patents for new drug products, methods of preparing drugs and medical use under the rules. Read more