On December 20, 2023, the Federal Court (Court) published a notice on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in proceedings (Notice) and interim principles and guidelines on the Court’s own use of AI (
Intellectual property
Federal Court refuses to issue injunction on infringed antibody formulation patent
On December 4, 2023, the Federal Court held that a patent claiming a formulation of adalimumab, a monoclonal antibody used to treat autoimmune diseases, is valid and is being infringed by a biosimilar product. However, the Court refused to issue…
Thirty years of the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations
This year marks the 30-year anniversary of the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (Regulations), introduced in 1993 to prevent patent infringement by linking the regulatory approval of generic or biosimilar drugs with the patent rights of innovators. …
Guidance on inventor discovery and “invention story” evidence in Canadian patent actions: Federal Court rules in favour of patentee
In three recent decisions, released in July and August, the Federal Court addressed questions concerning inventors and the “invention story” during Canadian patent litigation. The Court found that: (i) a patentee has no duty to facilitate inventor discovery; (ii) patentee’s…
Canada increases patent office fees for 2024
Beginning January 1, 2024, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) will implement the first substantial increases to its service fees since 2004. Many fees will increase by 25% of more, though some “low materiality fees” will remain capped…
Patent term adjustment: Canada consults on proposed regulatory framework
On August 7, 2023, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) launched a consultation on proposed features of regulations on patent term adjustment (PTA) in Canada (the Consultation).
The PTA system is intended to compensate patentees…
Canada implements patent term adjustment as Bill C-47 becomes law
On June 22, 2023, Canada’s federal government passed legislation (Bill C-47) introducing a system of general patent term adjustment (PTA). The provisions amending the Patent Act to introduce PTA passed without substantive amendment and are scheduled…
PMPRB Update: Consultation on Amendment to the Interim Guidance re New Medicines
The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) has launched a 60-day consultation on proposed changes to the price-review process set out in its Interim Guidance of August 18, 2022 (Interim Guidance). The proposed changes would affect…
The Ontario Superior Court dismisses a generic manufacturer’s claim for damages under section 8 of the PM(NOC) Regulations
The Ontario Superior Court (ONSC) has dismissed a claim for damages under section 8 of the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (the Regulations) brought by Apotex Inc. (Apotex) for lost sales of its Apo-Atomoxetine…
Supreme Court denies leave to appeal in generic Statute of Monopolies case
On April 27, 2023, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed an application by Apotex Inc. and Apotex Pharmachem Inc. (Apotex) for leave to appeal from a decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal (ONCA), dismissing its…