Pharmaceutical patents and trademarks are a lucrative business that many companies protect dearly. The formulation of a particular drug can mean hundreds of millions in revenue for a company, and making sure that formula is protected is all part of the patent process. Likewise, companies look to trademark their name choices to make their drug memorable. Names like Viagra or Tylenol are household names that are protected by law because of the trademark that their companies hold on the name.

As a pharmaceutical company, you don't want to infringe on the rights of another business, and in so doing you need to make sure you are aware of other drug companies' patents or trademarks before making an application for your own. On the flip side of that, you want to appropriately protect your patent and trademark investments as well.

To make the most of resources on pharmaceutical patents and trademarks:

1. Review government information and oversight organization on biotechnology patents.

2. Watch for expiration of biotech patents.

3. Consider hiring a pharmaceutical patents and trademarks attorney.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Jump into the topic of drug patents

Find out how global and US government oversight agencies address the topic of biotechnology patents.

I recommend: Find out how the World Trade Organization (WTO)'s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) tries to bring about a balance. It looks to meet long term social objectives such as providing incentives for future inventions and creation. While at the same time, it also it also looks to address the short term objective of allowing people to use existing inventions and creations. See how TRIPS affects pharmaceutical patents. Take advantage of information provided from the Federal Drug Administration's Frequently Asked Questions page to learn for example the difference between pharmaceutical patents and exclusivity or for how long pharmaceutical patents are held.

Follow what happens when biotechnology patents expire

Take advantage of info as biotech patents expire. See what happens to the market as generics make their way into it, and drug companies have to make a decision to release authorized generics or continue to put money into promoting the name brand.

I recommend: Sign up at DrugPatentWatch for a basic or premium plan to find out when a particular drug patent expires. Sign up for free at FiercePharma to watch the latest pharma patent information. On the flip side, let Analysis Group look at models of options on what to do with your existing drug line. For example, do you consider authorized generic, or do you continue promotional activity on your name brand drug?

Hire a pharmaceutical patents and trademarks expert

Bring on a professional attorney service to help you with patent pharmaceutical development. From patent development to trademark decisions to enforcement to protect your investment, use the help of professionals to start you out on the right path and protect your drug trademarks and patents.

I recommend: Consider working with Kenyon & Kenyon as your trademark attorney involved in helping you name your pharmaceutical product. Enlist the services of Leydig, Voit & Mayer to help you in prosecuting patents in the pharmaceutical technology industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Hiring the help of a pharmaceutical patents and trademarks attorney is a wise investment. It saves you time, which can equal money when it comes to the patent and trademark searches. They can also protect your interests in managing that others don't infringe upon your pharma patents or trademarks.