United Kingdom: Patent

National courts have diverged on the interpretation of the EU Court of Justice’s latest decisions on SPCs for combination products – in particular on whether data in the application as filed are required for a combination product to meet the CJEU’s test of “falling under the invention” of the basic patent and be eligible for SPC protection in the EU.

The World has changed; we can be certain that in an age where generative AI has become readily available to scientists, engineers and creatives, the prospects for potential leaps in innovation seem boundless.

The UK Intellectual Property Office has released new statutory guidance following the Supreme Court's landmark Emotional Perception AI judgment, fundamentally changing how patent examiners assess excluded subject matter. This guidance clarifies the treatment of artificial neural networks, quantum computers, and other emerging technologies under patent law, while aligning UK examination procedures more closely with European Patent Office practices.

Recent data from England demonstrates that HPV vaccination has achieved a remarkable milestone: zero cervical cancer deaths among vaccinated women under 30, representing an effective 100% reduction in mortality.

Artificial intelligence, wearable devices and at-home diagnostics are revolutionizing personal health management in 2026. From AI-driven health systems that create digital twins to smart rings monitoring physiological signals and home diagnostic tools tracking biomarkers, technology is enabling unprecedented personalization in wellness.

The European Patent Convention allows medical use claims for substances and compositions, but not devices. Recent case law has shifted the approach to determining what qualifies as a "substance or composition," moving away from mode-of-action analysis toward examining the claimed material itself. This evolution raises critical questions about claim drafting and the scope of patent protection for medical technologies.

The Advocate General has delivered a decisive opinion on whether a substance classified as an excipient in a marketing authorisation can be considered an active ingredient for Supplementary Protection Certificate eligibility purposes. This non-binding opinion addresses Halozyme's attempts to obtain SPC protection for a combination involving a substance designated as an excipient, with potentially far-reaching implications for pharmaceutical patent strategy and the relationship between regulatory classificat

The 2026 FIFA World Cup demonstrates how intellectual property rights underpin modern football technology, from Hawk-Eye's patented camera systems enabling VAR and goal-line decisions to Adidas's sensor-equipped Trionda ball featuring real-time data transmission. This examination reveals the sophisticated patent portfolios, trade mark strategies, and licensing arrangements that transform sporting innovation into commercial success across global markets.

The women's health technology sector has evolved from simple digital diaries into sophisticated tracking systems that capture menstrual cycles, fertility patterns, and menopause symptoms at unprecedented scale. As these innovations transition from niche tools to established digital health fixtures, securing comprehensive intellectual property protection becomes essential for transforming technological breakthroughs into defensible commercial assets.