Brussels, Belgium
February 21, 2013

EuropaBio welcomes the formal signing by the European Union on an agreement to introduce a Unitary Patent Court for 24 participating Member States.

The introduction of the single European Patent will ensure a one door, one key protection for IP throughout cutting down on the cross-border administrative burdens that have made patenting across Europe such a burden today. Such a simplified and cost effective procedure will be of particular importance to the highly innovative biotechnology industry and in particular to its 2000+ biotechnology SMEs operating throughout the EU. Internal Market Commissioner, Michel Barnier believes that costs for Patent applicants will be reduced by a staggering 80%- bringing Europe closer in line with competing nations. The former European patent system for example was up to 60 times more expensive than in China leading to lost revenue and competitiveness for the EU.

Nathalie Moll, Secretary General of EuropaBio stated: “This is one of the longest and most eagerly awaited negotiations in the EU’s history. Biotechnology is one of the fastest-growing areas of science with continuous innovation at its core- often coming from Small and Medium Enterprises. Like many other high-tech fields, intellectual property is a key component of our sector’s growth and competitiveness in a given region of the world. The UPS will provide the one door, one key approach that European biotechnology has been waiting for to help us be more competitive in developing the science , processes and products that are needed to tackle societal challenges such as climate change, depletion of natural resources, health epidemics, population growth and ageing .”

Website: http://www.europabio.org

Published: February 21, 2013