Initiatives in the Field of
Biotechnology and Chemistry
01
Special characteristics of biotechnology-related fields
Biotechnology is now used in a very wide range of technological fields, including cutting-edge pharmaceuticals, and continues to evolve greatly, integrating and fusing with chemical, electrical, mechanical, information-processing, and other technologies. Biotechnology is a highly complex and specialized field. Expertise in biotechnology is essential for an in-depth understanding of the latest technologies in this and related fields.
In addition, the biotechnology field features many distinctive patent practices, such as medical use invention, patent eligibility, sequence listing, microorganism deposition, and patent term extension (PTE). Effective patent acquisition requires in-depth patent work experience and knowledge of the field.
Since our foundation in 1984, we have handled a large number of cases of patent application drafting, prosecution activities, appeals, and lawsuits in the field of biotechnology for our domestic and overseas clients, staying ahead of other IP firms. Drawing on our extensive experience and knowledge, we can propose optimal solutions adapted to patent practices unique to the biotechnology-related field.
02
Supporting a wide range of cutting-edge technologies in the biotechnology and chemical fields
We have more than 25 experts specialising in biotechnology or chemistry and are ready to engage immediately with a wide range of advanced technologies, including medical and pharmaceutical, agricultural, microbiological, food, cosmetic, chemical, materials, fuel production, bioremediation, and power generation technologies. We establish a cooperative relationship between experts in different technical fields, so that we are also able to handle advanced cutting-edge technologies such as integrated or multidisciplinary fields.
We are handling numerous patent applications covering advanced technologies in the biotechnology-related fields, as well as various cutting-edge technologies in chemistry including functional polymers, nanomaterials, fuel cells, high functional catalysts, and environmental chemistry, from our domestic and overseas clients, including major corporations and small-to-medium enterprises, start-ups, research institutes, and universities.
We deal with the following exemplary technologies and distinctive patent practices in the fields of biotechnology and chemistry:
Genome editing-related technologies
and regenerative medicine
Genome editing technology is an innovative technology that can detect and modify genetic sequence. Going forward, the market for this technology is expected to expand rapidly. Also, research and development is accelerating toward the practical application of regenerative medicine, which involves regenerating tissues and organs from stem cells for treatment. We deal with cutting-edge genome editing–related technologies and regenerative medicine technologies.
Nucleic acid drugs and antibody drugs
Nucleic acid drugs, which can be targeted to cancer and other affected cells more easily than conventional small molecule drugs, are attracting attention as next-generation pharmaceuticals. Development of therapeutic nucleic acid drugs is progressing, starting with mRNA vaccines. Antibody drugs are also being developed for the treatment of various diseases because they are expected to have high therapeutic efficacy and reduced side effects due to the specific binding to particular target antigens. We can privide detailed advice and help you file patent applications for optimal patent acquisition of these biopharmaceuticals.
Production technologies for useful substances
Biofuels are being developed as an alternative to petroleum fuels and are attracting attention as a highly sustainable technology. In addition, the development of technologies that utilize microorganisms and plants to produce useful substances such as biofuels and other chemicals and materials is underway. Our extensive experience in the biotechnology and chemical fields will help you obtain valuable patent rights in also such multidisciplinary technology fields.
Agrochemicals
There is a need to develop effective and highly sustainable agrochemicals in order to produce food to support a growing global population. New categories of agrochemicals, such as biological pesticides, are also being developed. We deal with a wide variety of agrochemical technologies, from chemical to biological pesticides.
Fuel cell and solar cell technologies
Fuel cells and solar cells are attracting a great deal of attention as next-generation energy production technologies. We can also provide advice from technical expertise for obtaining patents regarding various technologies related to fuel cells and solar cells, including catalysts and electrodes.
Medical and analytical equipment
As medical devices become more sophisticated, new artificial organs and diagnostic analysis devices are being developed by integrating and combining technologies in the fields of biotechnology, chemistry, and physical chemistry with those in the mechanical engineering and electrical fields. We are actively involved in these integrated and complex fields of technology.
Patent applications for medical use inventions
In the pharmaceutical field, inventions of active substances occupy an important position, as do medical use inventions that relate to use focused on their new medicinal effects. However, with regard to the medical use invention, there are significant differences in patent practices between countries/regions, and such practices are prone to change due to changes in judicial precedents, etc.
We constantly update information on patent prosecution in various countries/regions concerning medical use inventions and communicate closely with our clients to provide advice for obtaining globally patents of medical use inventions in an optimal way.
Patent applications involving microorganism deposition
In a patent application for an invention using a particular microorganism, the microorganism must be deposited in an international or domestic depository authority to comply with the requirement of disclosure. For filing patent applications globally, it is necessary to adapt them to patent practices of microorganism deposition in each country from the stage of filing a first priority application. In Japan, microorganism deposition must be made before the filing date of a PCT or Japanese patent application.
We have handled many patent applications involving microorganism-related inventions and microorganism depositions, and we provide advice and support to our clients on these matters.
Patent Term Extension (PTE)
For patents on pharmaceuticals, diagnostic agents, regenerative medical products, and agrochemicals, patent term extension up to 5 years is available to compensate for the term required for the regulatory approval. In Japan, patent term extension (PTE) applications should be filed based on each regulartory approval. You can file multiple patent term extension (PTE) applications for a single patent based on multiple regulartory approvals, and patent term extension (PTE) applications for multiple patents based on a single regulartory approval. We have filed numerous PTE applications and have extensive experience in responding to office actions thereto.
Technical fields in which we can offer support
(biotechnology and chemistry):
Basic biotechnologies
Genome editing / Genetic engineering / Nucleic acid synthesis / Nucleic acid amplification / Protein engineering / Cell engineering / Stem cell-related technologies / Cell reprogramming / Tissue and organ culture / Microorganism culture / Fermentation / Disease models and cell models / Bioinformatics
Medical treatment and pharmaceuticals
Low molecule drugs / Antibody and protein drugs / Vaccines / Nucleic acid drugs / Chinese medicines / Regenerative medicine / Artificial organs / Disease treatment and prevention technologies / Cancer immunotherapy / Diagnostic agents / Diagnostic technologies / Veterinary medicine / Medical nanoparticles / Drug delivery systems / Biosurfactants / Medication aids / Hygiene products
Food and beverages
Functional foods (specified health foods, foods with functional claims, supplements, etc.) / Probiotics / Fermented foods / Nursing care foods & baby foods / Sports nutrition foods / Processed food manufacturing technologies
Agriculture, fisheries, and livestock
Animal and plant breeding / Biological and chemical pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, bactericides & fungicides, plant growth regulators, repellents, etc.) / Bio- and chemical fertilizers / Soil conditioners / Growth promoters / Plant cultivation / Aquaculture / Livestock and aquatic animal improvement
Environmental and energy technologies
Biofuels / Bioplastics / Production of useful substances using microorganisms and plants / Environmental remediation (bioremediation)
Beauty, health, and lifestyle products
Cosmetics / Cosmetic tools / Perfumes / Hairdressing products / Healthcare supplies (hair care, skin care, oral care, etc.) / Bath and toiletry supplies / herbs / aromatherapy
Organic chemistry
Low molecular organic chemistry / High molecular organic chemistry / Organic electroluminescence / Liquid crystal devices / Organic synthesis
Inorganic chemistry
Fuel cells / Solar cells / Lithium-ion batteries / Catalysts / Semiconductors / Carbon materials (carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, etc.) / Precious metals / Rare metals / Steel / Nonferrous metals / Magnetic materials / Metal recovery technologies / Metal-smelting technologies / Metal-processing technologies
Polymer chemistry
Resins / Biodegradable plastics / Optical fibers / Heat-resistant materials / Liquid crystal polymers / Polymer alloys / Conductive materials / Optical functional materials / Optical materials / Optical discs / Textiles / Rubber / Superabsorbent polymers / Polymer gels / Molecular recognition materials / Separation materials
Integrated and multidisciplinary fields (medical-engineering collaboration fields, etc.)
Medical devices (treatment devices, diagnostic devices, artificial joints, catheters, endoscopes, etc.) / Separation and extraction equipment / Analytical equipment / Agricultural equipment / Fishing equipment
our patent attorneys / technical staff
in charge of biotechnology and chemistry
