BIO China International Conference Highlights Intellectual Property

Washington, D.C. (October 4, 2011)- The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today highlights the Intellectual Property panel sessions for the BIO China International Conferenceto be held October 12-13 in Shanghai, China. The event will bring together biotechnology and pharmaceutical leaders to explore business opportunities with life science companies in China.

“The strength and predictability of the patent system is critical for China as the country seeks to boost its biotech sector,” said Lila Feisee, Vice President, Global Intellectual Property Policy. “This track, dedicated specifically to IP and patent protection, will give attendees a broad understanding of the challenges and opportunities that exist within the current regulatory system in China.”

Intellectual property and patent protection are of significant importance as they help to strengthen the growth of a robust biotechnology sector.  IP Sessions will include:

Protection of Biotechnology Inventions in China, US, and Europe: A Comparative Perspective
Wednesday, October 12th, 1:00pm - 2:15pm

The panel will compare what can be patented and the scope of protection in China, EU and the US including protections that are afforded to plants as well as explore the impact of changes in patent laws or regulations in each of these jurisdictions on biotechnology patenting. 

Panelists:

• Thomas T. Moga, Of Counsel, Shook, Hardy and Bacon (Moderator)
• Jasemine Chambers, Deputy Administrator for External Affairs at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
• Chris Sappenfield, Senior Counsel, Ibis Biosciences Inc.
• Francisco Fernandez y Branas, Director Biotechnology at the EPO in the Hague
• Zhang Qingkui, Director General, Pharmaceutical and Biotech Examination Department, State Intellectual Property Office of the People’s Republic of China 

Effective IP Mechanisms for Bringing Biopharmaceuticals to Market
Wednesday, October 12th, 2:30pm - 3:45pm

China’s investment in its Twelfth 5-Year Plan has resulted in a significant boost in biotechnology research and development.  Innovative technologies and discoveries are resulting from investment in biotechnology.  A panel of experts will explore various IP mechanisms for protecting research data including trade secret and regulatory data protections as a means for bringing discoveries to market.  The panel also will look to systems in the U.S. (Hatch Waxman) and in Europe (Biosimilars) as possible mechanisms for the approval of biopharmaceuticals. 

Panelists: 

• Jonathan Z. Yuan, Managing Partner – US & European IP Practice, Shangcheng & Partners  (Moderator)
• Yang Xu, Ph.D., J.D., Chief Patent Counsel, Simcere Pharmaceuticals
• Haiyan Chen, Ph.D., J.D., Senior Patent Counsel, GlaxoSmithKline R&D China
• Jeffrey D. Hsi, Ph.D., Partner, Edwards Wildman Palmer
• Joseph P. Taormino, Ph.D., Partner, Co-leader of Biotech Group, Hoffman Eitle  

Encouraging Innovation through Robust Patent Enforcement
Wednesday, October 12th, 4:00pm - 5:25pm

A panel of experts will explore how enforcement of IP can support the goals of the Twelfth Five-Year plan in a competitive global economy.  The panel will explore the challenges to enforcement in the face of limited resources and will compare and contrast enforcement in the US and China.

Panelists:

• Frank S. DiGiglio, Managing Partner, Scully Scott Murphy & Presser PC (Moderator)
• Dr. Zhonglin HE, Senior Judge, Supreme People's Court of the P.R. China, Director, Judicial Affairs Office on Hong Kong, Macao & Taiwan, Former Presiding Judge, IPR Division
• Brian Barrett, Senior Director and Associate General Patent Counsel for Eli Lilly & Company
• Tina Tai, Patent Attorney, Attorney at law, Assistant General Manager, China Patent Agent (H.K.) Ltd.

To learn more about the BIO China International Conference, including registration and up-to-date program information, please visit here.  Advance media registration is available here. Registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the media. 

BIO China is organized by BIO and co-organized by Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park. For more information on BIO China, please visit http://www.bio.org/biochina/.