EuropaBio welcomes new EU ‘bio-patent’
The group representing the European bioeconomy industry has welcomed the introduction of a single European patent, saying it will boost the EU’s international competitiveness.
The new single European patent was signed by all members of the European Union, except Poland and Bulgaria. The declaration will also introduce a Unified Patent Court (UPC).
The patent is being noted for reducing cross-border administrative problems in Europe which, according to EuropaBio, has otherwise ‘made patenting across Europe such a burden today’.
Commenting on the agreement, EuropaBio’s secretary general, Nathalie Moll, said: “This is one of the longest and most eagerly awaited negotiations in the EU’s history. Like many other high-tech fields, intellectual property is a key component of our sector’s growth and competitiveness in a given region of the world.”
According to Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, the costs of patents will be reduced by 80% along with a single patent application.
Moll added: “The UPC will provide the one door, one key approach that European biotechnology has been waiting for to help us be more competitive in developing the science, processes and products that are needed to tackle societal challenges such as climate change, depletion of natural resources, health epidemics, population growth and ageing.”
The European bio-industry is set to benefit from a significant amount of fresh funding under Horizon 2020, the EU’s next research and innovation framework programme.
