The decision released today by the Federal Court of Appeal of Canada on the Harvard Mouse is good news for consumers and the Canadian biotechnology industry. This decision means that innovators of new, multi-cell plant and animal products obtained using biotechnology, now have patent protection to protect their innovations. To a young growing company, intellectual property is essential for attracting and maintaining investments through the many years it takes to develop important, innovative products products that benefit consumers.
Patents also make knowledge publicly available.
This new information becomes accessible to the scientific community and stimulates further innovation. Allowing patenting of higher life forms is a very important decision. It will ensure that the Canadian biotechnology industry remains competitive with our major trading partners. Often times this is the only asset a small company may have before its products are approved for sale in the market place. Biotechnology broadly defined as the use of living organisms to create or improve products is an extension of humankind s efforts over the centuries to improve our health, food supply and our lives in general.