Topic: AI in Life Sciences

Speakers:

Jonas Gifford and Mark Pidkowich, Smart & Biggar

The presentation provides a practical update on significant developments in Canadian patent law that are particularly relevant to U.S. patent practitioners and life sciences companies doing business in Canada. The speakers, Jonas Gifford and Mark Pidkowich of Smart & Biggar, review recent changes to Canadian patent prosecution, including priority restoration, national phase entry requirements, maintenance fees, examination deadlines, excess-claim fees, requests for continued examination (RCEs), and strategic considerations for avoiding double patenting issues. The presentation emphasizes how these procedural changes affect patent filing and portfolio management strategies. The program also examines the evolving legal framework for computer-implemented inventions in Canada. It traces key court decisions and Patent Office practices through 2026, including developments arising from the Amazon.com, Choueifaty, Benjamin Moore, and Dusome decisions, as well as the Canadian Patent Office's recent focus on a "physicality requirement" for patent eligibility. A substantial portion of the presentation is dedicated to pharmaceutical patents. Topics include patentable claim formats for medical uses, diagnostic method claims, Canada's patent register system, data protection, Certificates of Supplementary Protection (the Canadian counterpart to patent term extensions), drug pricing regulation by the PMPRB, and the new Patent Term Adjustment regime. Overall, the presentation offers a comprehensive overview of current Canadian patent law and practical guidance for protecting and enforcing patent rights in Canada.

CLE: Up to 1.5 General Credit, Pending Approval

Cost: Free for WSPLA Members, must register to receive Zoom link;

$40 Non-members