Food, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences

Biotechnology and chemistry startups face a critical question when filing priority patent applications: how much experimental data is actually required? While the answer depends on the predictability of the technology, the European Patent Office's strict disclosure standards mean that insufficient technical support can invalidate priority claims entirely, leaving innovations vulnerable to competitor filings and prior art that emerges during the assumed protection period.

Following a sector inquiry launched by the Competition Board's decision of 8 December 2021, the Turkish Competition Authority ("TCA") published its Preliminary Report on the Pharmaceutical Sector Inquiry (“Preliminary Report”) on 10 August 2026, opening it for public consultation

ValiRx's subsidiary Cytolytix has received positive signals from the European Patent Office regarding patent protection for its polyleucine-based anti-cancer peptides, raising questions about why the company is publicly announcing these intellectual property developments. The strategic timing and nature of these announcements may reveal important insights about the company's approach to attracting investment and licensing partners in the competitive biotechnology sector.

The UK Patents Court has upheld the validity of Novartis' patent and SPC protecting Entresto, its blockbuster heart failure treatment combining valsartan and sacubitril.

The Advertising Standards Authority has banned a Yo! Sushi Instagram advertisement for violating new regulations on less healthy food marketing. The paid post promoted a limited-edition Chocolate Cream Puff made with KitKat, which falls under HFSS (high fat, salt, or sugar) food categories subject to stricter advertising rules that came into force in January.

A pharmaceutical company's trademark dispute over 'CannaMed' raises critical questions about brand protection in the rapidly evolving cannabis and medical sectors. The case highlights the intersection of traditional pharmaceutical branding with emerging cannabis industry nomenclature. Legal and commercial implications of this trademark conflict could set important precedents for companies operating at the convergence of these two industries.

Biotechnology and chemistry startups face a critical question when filing priority patent applications: how much experimental data is actually required? While the answer depends on the predictability of the technology, the European Patent Office's strict disclosure standards mean that insufficient technical support can invalidate priority claims entirely, leaving innovations vulnerable to competitor filings and prior art that emerges during the assumed protection period.

ValiRx's subsidiary Cytolytix has received positive signals from the European Patent Office regarding patent protection for its polyleucine-based anti-cancer peptides, raising questions about why the company is publicly announcing these intellectual property developments. The strategic timing and nature of these announcements may reveal important insights about the company's approach to attracting investment and licensing partners in the competitive biotechnology sector.

The European Commission (“Commission”) has sent Statements of Objections to several construction chemicals manufacturers and three national trade associations over suspected coordination of price increases for additives used in cement, concrete and mortar in France, Germany, and Spain.