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Abstract

An extensive body of evidence demonstrates that patents and other intellectual property (IP) rights are critical to the future of innovation and the development of new treatments and cures. A strong legal regime is essential for a robust innovation-based biopharmaceutical industry, but other targeted incentives can provide further impetus to transform inventions into commercial innovations.

For Canada, the legal context surrounding intellectual property rights protection and the national regulatory regime are influencing the biopharmaceutical industry. These dimensions also have consequences for Canadian patients, Canadian economy, and access to future medical innovations. In the course of trade negotiations, several aspects of the Canadian IP system have been changed and reinforced. This article summarizes the biotech industry context and describes existing IP policy and regulatory initiatives in Canada.

We will also discuss briefly the most recent initiatives of the Québec government to support creation, protection and commercialization of innovations from local businesses.

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Protection and Commercialization of Biotechnology Inventions in Canada and Québec

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