Patents are considered the lifeblood of the pharmaceutical industry because they are the primary method by which medicinal chemists and their employers can protect and monetize their discoveries.  Critically, pharmaceutical patents shield novel drug products from generic competition, which allows innovators to recoup the substantial up-front costs associated with bringing the drug to market. Without the availability of patent protection, the incentive to invest in the discovery of new medicines would be substantially reduced.  The goal of this presentation is to provide medicinal chemists with a broad overview of how patents are obtained, used, and enforced in the context of pharmaceutical products.  Topics covered include: (i) why patents are an essential part of drug discovery; (ii) the anatomy of a patent; (iii) the requirements and processes for obtaining a patent; (iv) licenses and other transfers of patent rights; (v) how patents are enforced in the United States; and (vi) the ways in which patents can be challenged by generic competitors.  The medicinal chemist’s role in each phase of the patent process will be particularly highlighted, and practical tips and strategies from attorneys with years of experience litigating pharmaceutical patents will be provided.

Medicinal chemist’s guide to patents: Key concepts and strategies

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.