Patent News from Asia – China, India and Japan

Here we bring you a round-up of all patent news from the Asian continent.

Asian-Indian groups oppose Gilead Hepatitis C drug

MUMBAI: Asian and Indian groups have filed a fresh bout of opposition at the Kolkata patent office against the sofosbuvir’s patent application of Gilead’s Hepatitis C drug sofosbuvir.
The pre-grant opposition has been filed by Bangkok-based Asia-Pacific Network of People living with HIV/AIDS, the Sankalp Rehabilitation Trust and the Hepatitis Coalition of Nagaland. The groups are being represented by the Lawyers Collective.
The move seeks to keep the oral Hepatitis C drug affordable, by ensuring that generic drug companies are allowed to make the drug. “We believe this patent application should be rejected,” Anand Grover, Director, Lawyers Collective, and senior counsel at the Supreme Court, said in a statement.

Source: thehindubusinessline

Biocept Awarded Patent In China For Microfluidic Channel Technology

Biocept, Inc. (BIOC: Quote), a molecular oncology diagnostics company specializing in circulating tumor cells or CTCs and circulating tumor DNA or ctDNA biomarker analysis, said it has been granted a patent in China for its microfluidic channel technology used to capture CTCs. The granted patent is the subject of Chinese Patent No. ZL200780032530.2, entitled, “Detection or Isolation of Target Molecules Using a Microchannel Apparatus.”
This patent improves Biocept’s ongoing East-Asia expansion strategy, that aims to increase the adoption of blood-based liquid biopsies to test for biomarkers associated with cancer and help inform patients and their physicians when making treatment decisions.

Source: rttnews

Japan may pip China in high-speed rail race

Superior technology and their experience in safety and signalling give Japanese firms an edge over the Chinese, who might have pitched strongly to become the technology partner for the coming Rs 63,000-crore high-speed rail project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, according to officials in the railway ministry.
Despite being cheaper, the Chinese technology is not the preferred option. Senior railway officials say besides technology, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is likely to fund the high-speed project. Officials said there was no formal movement on Chinese financing for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor though China could look at funding future corridors.

Source: business-standard

Author Name :
ttconsultants