Topic: Life sciences and healthcare

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Health Canada reports on a national strategy for rare disease drugs

Photo of John GreissPhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Kristin WallBy John Greiss, Christopher A. Guerreiro and Kristin Wall on Posted in Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
Health Canada has published a report on its public consultation on building a national strategy to address access to drugs for rare diseases. This report follows the Government of Canada’s commitment to create a national strategy for drugs for rare diseases based on recommendations made by the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare. … Continue reading

Health Canada’s proposed amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations and the Medical Devices Regulations

Photo of Sarah PenningtonPhoto of Kristin WallBy Sarah Pennington and Kristin Wall on Posted in Life sciences and healthcare
On July 31, 2021, Health Canada published a Notice of Intent outlining its plan to amend the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) and the Medical Devices Regulations in the spring of 2022. The proposed amendments are intended to modernize the Canadian therapeutic product regulatory system at every stage of products’ lifecycles from authorization to post-market. … Continue reading

PMPRB excessive price decision quashed by Federal Court of Appeal

Photo of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Kristin WallBy Christopher A. Guerreiro and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Federal Court of Appeal has quashed an excessive-price decision of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) in a proceeding concerning the drug SOLIRIS. The matter has been remitted to the PMPRB for redetermination. Procedural background The PMPRB issued a decision in 2017 finding that Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. sold SOLIRIS (eculizumab) at an excessive … Continue reading

CADTH convenes Advisory Panel on a pan-Canadian prescription drug list

Photo of Kassandra ShorttPhoto of Kristin WallBy Kassandra Shortt and Kristin Wall on Posted in Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
CADTH has convened a pan-Canadian Advisory Panel on a Framework for a Prescription Drug List (the Panel). The Panel will provide recommendations on developing a potential pan-Canadian prescription drug list (or formulary). Stakeholder consultations are scheduled to take place in the fall and winter of 2021, leading to a final public report setting out the … Continue reading

PMPRB Guidelines update: consultation on changes re delayed implementation

Photo of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Brian R. DaleyPhoto of Kristin WallBy Christopher A. Guerreiro, Brian R. Daley and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) has launched a consultation on proposed changes to its new Guidelines (the New Guidelines). These changes include revisions to the price tests for some medicines marketed prior to the anticipated coming-into-force date of the New Guidelines. The PMPRB has indicated that these changes are intended to account for … Continue reading

Certain COVID-19 medical devices no longer hold urgent public health need status under Interim Order No. 2

Photo of Sarah PenningtonPhoto of John GreissPhoto of Kristin WallBy Sarah Pennington, John Greiss and Kristin Wall on Posted in Life sciences and healthcare
Health Canada has issued a notice explaining a policy change to the review of applications for COVID-19 medical devices. As of July 16, 2021, Health Canada is no longer accepting applications for certain categories of medical devices under Interim Order No. 2 Respecting the Importation and Sale of Medical Devices for Use in Relation to COVID-19 (IO … Continue reading

PMPRB Update: delayed implementation of Patented Medicines Regulations amendments and new Guidelines

Photo of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Brian R. DaleyPhoto of Kristin WallBy Christopher A. Guerreiro, Brian R. Daley and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
Changes to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) regime, contained in pending amendments to the Patented Medicines Regulations, have been delayed until January 1, 2022. These amendments form the basis for new PMPRB Guidelines, which are scheduled to come into force at the same time as the amendments. The amendments contain a number of … Continue reading

Generic allowed to plead new grounds of invalidity not raised in the Notice of Allegation

Photo of Morgan WestgatePhoto of Brian R. DaleyBy Morgan Westgate and Brian R. Daley on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) has confirmed that in an infringement action under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations, the “second person” (i.e., generic/biosimilar) is not precluded from pleading invalidity allegations in its Statement of Defence beyond those that were raised in its notice of allegation (NOA). While new allegations may not be … Continue reading

CSP Amendments to the PMPRB Regime: Jurisdiction of Patented Medicine Prices Review Board to Include Medicines Protected by Certificates of Supplementary Protection

Photo of Corey McClaryPhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Kristin WallBy Corey McClary, Christopher A. Guerreiro and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
A suite of amendments to the Patent Act and the Patented Medicines Regulations (the Regulations) will soon require holders of Certificates of Supplementary Protection (CSPs) to report information to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) on substantially the same terms and conditions as would be reported by patentees. Regulations amending the Regulations, which will … Continue reading

Federal Court quashes NOC in dispute over Data Protection Provisions

Photo of William ChalmersPhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Kristin WallBy William Chalmers, Christopher A. Guerreiro and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Federal Court has quashed a notice of compliance (NOC) issued to Médunik Canada (Médunik) for its amifampridine product, RUZURGI, over an issue concerning data protection for another amifampridine product. The Minister provided no reasons for its issuance of the NOC, and the Court found that the Certified Tribunal Record (CTR) outlining the decision-making process … Continue reading

Quebec Prohibits Financial Assistance by Drug Manufacturer for Patients’ Drug Costs

Photo of Gregory BordanPhoto of Kimberly JeffersBy Gregory Bordan and Kimberly Jeffers on Posted in Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
At the end of 2016, the previous Quebec government prohibited a number of common commercial practices by drug manufacturers and pharmacists with the aim of fostering greater price competition between drug manufacturers and reducing the cost of the public drug insurance scheme.[1] Among the new prohibitions was one that would prohibit a manufacturer from offering … Continue reading

Proposed amendments to the PM(NOC) Regulations: Patents claiming different salt forms of medicinal ingredients eligible for inclusion on the Patent Register

Photo of Corey McClaryPhoto of David YiPhoto of Kristin WallBy Corey McClary, David Yi and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
On April 23, 2021, Proposed PM(NOC) Amendments [1] were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I. These amendments permit patents claiming different forms of a medicinal ingredient (e.g., salt forms) to be listed on the patent register and are intended to balance Proposed FDR Amendments [2] published on March 30, 2019 which allow generic manufacturers … Continue reading

PMPRB Update: New periods for compliance with the new Guidelines

Photo of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Brian R. DaleyPhoto of Kristin WallBy Christopher A. Guerreiro, Brian R. Daley and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The PMPRB has confirmed that patentees of “Grandfathered” and “Gap” medicines will have two reporting periods to comply with new price ceilings to be set under its new Guidelines, replacing previous guidance that only one reporting period would be permitted. Updates to the Guidelines As we reported, the Guidelines were released by the PMPRB on … Continue reading

Food and Drug Regulations amended: COVID-19 drugs and vaccines transitioned out of interim order framework

Photo of John GreissPhoto of Sarah PenningtonPhoto of Kristin WallBy John Greiss, Sarah Pennington and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) have been amended to allow for continued expedited review of COVID-19 drugs (including vaccines) while transitioning to authorizations by way of a full notice of compliance (NOC) under the FDR. Certain provisions of the amendments came into force on March 18, 2021, while others will come into force on … Continue reading

Two new interim orders update previous orders on medical devices and foreign products during pandemic

Photo of John GreissPhoto of Kristin WallBy John Greiss and Kristin Wall on Posted in Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Minister of Health has issued two new interim orders (IOs) regarding authorizations for COVID-19-related products. The first new order extends interim authorizations for COVID-19 medical devices until transition regulations can be passed. The second new order extends and updates the Minister’s authority to permit the import and sale of foreign drugs, medical devices, and … Continue reading

Federal Court of Appeal provides guidance on the “inventive concept”

Photo of Paul JorgensenPhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Mark DavisBy Paul Jorgensen, Christopher A. Guerreiro and Mark Davis on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) has held that the “inventive concept” can go beyond the essential elements of the claim and may include advantageous properties stated in the patent’s description. The FCA confirmed that the inventive concept is the end-point in the obviousness analysis: for a claimed invention to be obvious, the gap between … Continue reading

Ontario Superior Court summarily dismisses Apotex’s novel monetary claims under Statutes of Monopolies, Trademarks Act, and at common law

Photo of Morgan WestgatePhoto of David YiPhoto of Allyson Whyte NowakBy Morgan Westgate, David Yi and Allyson Whyte Nowak on Posted in Damages, Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
On March 8, 2021, the Ontario Superior Court granted summary judgment dismissing novel claims by Apotex under the UK and Ontario Statutes of Monopolies, the Trademarks Act, and at common law. It is the first decision on the merits of Apotex’s novel claims and arises in the context of litigation relating to Eli Lilly’s patented … Continue reading

Health Canada consults on proposed guidelines for the use of electronic media in prescription drug labelling

Photo of Sarah PenningtonPhoto of John GreissPhoto of Randy SuttonBy Sarah Pennington, John Greiss and Randy Sutton on Posted in Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
Health Canada is seeking input from industry stakeholders on a new draft guidance document that discusses the use of electronic media in prescription drug labelling. The intent of the draft guidance document is to describe Health Canada’s expectations for manufacturers who distribute prescription drug information through an electronic means, such as a website or mobile … Continue reading

Federal Court of Appeal upholds one of the last prohibition orders under the old PM(NOC) Regulations

Photo of Sarah PenningtonPhoto of David YiPhoto of Kristin WallBy Sarah Pennington, David Yi and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Federal Court of Appeal has affirmed one of the last judgments granting a prohibition order under subsection 6(1) of the pre-September 2017 Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (the PM(NOC) Regulations). The Court of Appeal upheld the prohibition order despite a decision in a subsequent action under the amended PM(NOC) Regulations finding that the … Continue reading

Federal Court finds 45-day limitation period does not apply to s 8.2 PM(NOC) related rights of action for unlisted patents

Photo of Pardeep HeirPhoto of Paul JorgensenPhoto of Kristin WallBy Pardeep Heir, Paul Jorgensen and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
Summary The Federal Court has held that the “related right of action” for infringement of unlisted patents under section 8.2 of the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (Regulations) is not subject to the 45-day limitation period familiar to patentees asserting infringement of listed patents under subsection 6(1). Background Merck Canada Inc. and Merck Sharp … Continue reading

Bill C-213, An Act to enact the Canada Pharmacare Act: rejected by Parliament

Photo of Sarah PenningtonPhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Kristin WallBy Sarah Pennington, Christopher A. Guerreiro and Kristin Wall on Posted in Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
On February 24, 2021, Parliament voted down Bill C-213, which would have enacted the Canada Pharmacare Act. The Private Member’s Bill was first introduced a year ago, re-introduced in September 2020 after Parliament’s prorogation, and defeated at Second Reading. The Canada Pharmacare Act set out a series of criteria and conditions that would have been … Continue reading

Federal Court upholds patent validity and issues declarations of infringement against two generic apixaban tablets

Photo of Fortunat Nadima NadimaPhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Amy GrenonBy Fortunat Nadima Nadima, Christopher A. Guerreiro and Amy Grenon on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
In one of its first patent decisions of 2021, the Federal Court tackled arguments regarding the relevant date for insufficiency allegations and the level of disclosure required for demonstrated utility. The Court resolved these and other issues in the patentees’ favour, granting declarations of infringement against two proposed apixaban generics. Background ELIQUISTM (an blood thinner) … Continue reading

PM(NOC) Regulations do not preclude defendants from amending the statement of defence

Photo of Shantelle LaFayettePhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Brian R. DaleyBy Shantelle LaFayette, Christopher A. Guerreiro and Brian R. Daley on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
A defendant in a patent infringement action under subsection 6(1) of the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations was allowed to amend its defence to include invalidity allegations not found in the Notice of Allegation. Background In an action under subsection 6(1) of the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (Regulations) concerning three patents, the … Continue reading

Pharma in Brief: The 2020 Year in Review

Photo of Colin HyslopPhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Kristin WallBy Colin Hyslop, Christopher A. Guerreiro and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
In this article, the Pharma in Brief team has curated and provided updates on the most significant topics we covered in 2020. Introduction The Canadian pharma and life sciences space saw many developments in 2020, despite and in some cases because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The industry was among the heroes of 2020, developing, commercializing … Continue reading
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