Since 1 March 2021, the Pharmaceutical Register of the Eurasian Patent Office (EAPO) is available on the official website of the Eurasian Patent Office. The Register contains information on Eurasian patents protecting active substances of drugs.The EAPO specifically indicates that the Pharmaceutical Register shall relate to the patents protecting pharmacologically active products (chemical compounds, including those described by the same structural formula, biotechnological products, compositions, combinations), production methods and medicinal use of the products.
The Pharmaceutical Register contains the following data:
• patent application number and date of filing
• Eurasian patent number and name
• patent holder
• patent validity period
• SPC
• INN and marketing authorizations
• registered licenses agreements
A patent holder may file an application to include the drug in the Pharmaceutical Register. The application shall comprise INN, patent claims protecting pharmacologically active substance, information about drugs registered within the EAPO along with relevant evidence.
As of 1 March 2021, a demo version of the Pharmaceutical Register includes more above 100 INNs and patents.
Similar registers have long been set up worldwide to settle disputes between patent holders and generic producers (e.g., the US Orange Book).
The EAPO Pharm Register will certainly lower the burden of proof in patent disputes and make the possibility to challenge patent prolongation more complicated. It will also help in license and other contractual issues for the local market.