The potential for nanotechnology to advance medical science has been demonstrated and is increasing as the ability to manufacture and combine an ever expanding selection of nanotechnologies creates a wide variety of opportunities Mechanisms for the commercialization of these “nanomedical” products have met with both success and failure but always with valuable lessons to apply toward advancing the future for the technology platforms Nanotechnology applications in medicine are already having a significant impact on marketed products as well as increasing the number of commercially viable products in both pharmaceutical and medical device pipelines directed toward a wide variety of therapeutic applications Commercial uses of nanotechnology in the development and formulation of new pharmaceuticals as well as incorporation into the designs of medical devices are increasing and hold much promise for commercial success Regulatory agencies and legal firms worldwide are cautiously examining some aspects of many nanotechnology products toward demonstrating sustainable histories of safety and efficacy in these various medical applications Approaches that have been successful in commercializing approved and currently marketed nanomedical products have met with many challenges and have identified and resolved critical issues that could have prevented or hindered market entry The commercial path becoming increasingly better defined for new and developing products that hold much promise to significantly improve medicine in areas such as nanomaterial-enabled pharmaceuticals, targeted nanomolecular therapeutics and diagnostics, nanobrachytherapy agents and nano-enabled medical devices

Hanna R. Laure´n

Papers

Nanotechnology Patent Procurement and Litigation in Europe