C5 (UK) will be holding its 10th Annual Forum on Pharma Patent Lifecycles on June 21-22, 2011 in London, England.  The conference will provide practical and strategic guidance on patent lifecycle extensions, including:

• The scope of SPCs for combination products and the cases referred to the ECJ;
• Recent cases on SPCs in Europe — The originator perspective;
• Developing strategies to successfully monitor and manage SPCs on patent portfolios;
• The German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) perspective on tackling pharma and biotech patents;
• Examining potential anti-competitive practices and recent patent settlement agreements;
• Maximizing exclusivity for new medicinal products in light of regulatory and case law developments;
• Extending and protecting patent lifecycles in the BRIC countries;
• Structuring successful applications for selection patents and analyzing the various approaches in Europe;
• Guidance from the European Commission on lifecycle extensions;
• Classifying biosimilars and follow-on biologics in Europe and the U.S.;
• Preparing for the expiration of transitional provisions on paediatric extensions;
• Successfully obtaining preliminary injunctions to block exploitation from generic drugs; and
• The impact of U.S. developments on pharma lifecycle extensions.

In particular, C5 faculty will offer presentations on the following topics:

• A plethora of references:  Medeva and its sequels — keynote address by Hon. Mr. Justice Arnold, Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice;
• Recent cases on SPCs in Europe — The Originator Perspective;
• Adopting strategies to overcome challenges based on recent industry trends;
• The German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) perspective on tackling biotech patents — Dr. Roman Maksymiw, Head of Division, German Patent and Trade Mark Office;
• Combating practical challenges for the grant of SPCs;
• Examining potential anti-competitive practices and recent patent settlement agreements;
• The impact of US developments on pharma lifecycle extensions;
• Structuring successful applications for selection patents and analysing the various approaches in Europe;
• Maximising exclusivity for new medicinal products in light of regulatory and case law developments;
• Guidance from the European Commission on lifecycle extensions — keynote address by Lavinia Teodorescu, Antitrust: Pharma and Health Services, DG Competition European Commission;
• Developing strategies to successfully monitor and manage SPCs on patent portfolios;
• Extending and protecting patent lifecycles in the BRIC countries;
• Preparing for the expiration of transitional provisions on paediatric extensions;
• Successfully obtaining preliminary injunctions to block exploitation from generic drugs;
• Classifying biosimilars and follow-on biologics in Europe and the US; and
• Monitoring the approval and grant processes of third party SPC applications.

A pre-conference workshop, entitled "Constructing Patent Settlement Agreements and Devising Effective SPC Strategies" will be offered from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm on June 20, 2011.

The agenda for the Pharma Patent Lifecycles conference can be found here.  A complete brochure for this conference, including an agenda, list of speakers, detailed descriptions of conference sessions, and registration form can be downloaded here.

The registration fee is £2197 for the conference and workshop and £1599 for the conference alone.  Those registering by May 20, 2011 will receive a £100 discount.  Those interested in registering for the conference can do so here, by calling +44 20 7878 6888, by faxing a registration form to +44 20 7878 6885, or by e-mailing registrations@C5-Online.com.