2.By-Election - Biotechnology Committee

Size:

• For this Committee, only one full member may be elected for each member state.

Task of the Committee:

The Biotechnology Committee (Biotech) shall consider and discuss all questions pertaining to, or connected with, inventions in the field of biotechnology, including the Budapest Treaty.

The activities of the Biotech over the past few years reflect the changes in patent standards to catch up with the fast-evolving realities of biotechnology. 

The Committee members have focused on the biotech aspects of the GLs for examination, in particular on WIPO ST.26 Sequence listings, plant patentability (more particularly plant disclaimers), antibody patenting and quality of the EPO GLs for examination in the biotech field. The Committee has expressed many concerns on the need to convert ST.25 Sequence listings to ST.26 Sequence listings for EP divisional patent applications and produced a position paper, filed a complaint with the EPO Ombuds Office and requests also special meetings with the EPO to discuss this topic. 

The epi Biotech committee is also involved in yearly meetings to discuss biotech topics with the EPO. The Committee members also follow up all national legal developments regarding biotech aspects, such as on plant patenting, gene patenting, antibodies (incl SPCs on antibodies). 

The committee is composed of members from most EPC contracting states who are specialized in biotechnology and also have specialized associate epi  members from different biotech fields.

What is expected from a member of this committee?

• Experience with prosecution in the Biotech field
• Biotech background