A Close Call for Medicinal Chemists!

Fresh off the press from the UK Court of Appeal is a decision concerning the pharmaceutical drug Xtandi (Enzalutamide).  Xtandi is indicated in various oncology treatments in Australia and is listed at number 19 the of top 200 selling pharmaceuticals by retail in 2024.  Keen-eyed medicinal chemists will notice that the previously published compound RD162 …
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PROTACs and Protein Degraders: Claiming Space in a Crowded IP Field

The emergence of protein degraders, including proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and molecular glues, represents one of the most exciting shifts in drug discovery over the past 20 years.  By harnessing the body’s own protein disposal machinery, protein degraders can selectively remove disease-causing proteins, opening the door to treatments for previously ‘undruggable’ targets. Recent clinical milestones, such …
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Australia: Sector-Specific Trends and Legal Challenges Highlight Importance of Forward-Looking IP Strategy

Australia’s life sciences ecosystem is experiencing sustained growth, driven by advances in biotechnology, digital health, precision medicine, agricultural innovation and materials science. While pharmaceuticals continue to dominate in terms of patent filings and regulatory complexity, the broader life sciences sector – encompassing agtech, medtech and next-generation materials such as semiconductors and battery technologies – is …
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Vale David Tadgell

It is with great sadness that we advise that former Principal of POF, David Tadgell, passed away a few days ago. David joined Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick in 1983 and became a partner in 1993.  David was a key member of the Chemistry & Life Sciences group at POF and served on our management committee and …
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Tempted to use AI for your IP Advice?

You might be tempted to ask Artificial Intelligence for legal advice. But as we’ve seen from the decision in Valu v Minister for Immigration it’s not a reliable source of information. In this case, an immigration lawyer used AI to assist in drafting legal submissions. The submissions were found to include references to cases and …
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Notice of Scam Email Activity

We have been made aware of scam emails regarding Trade Mark protection that appear to be sent by several POF Attorneys using incorrect and fraudulent email addresses. These emails from “Trademark Registry Hub” falsely claim to offer assistance and urge you to take immediate action to protect your intellectual property rights. This is a serious …
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USPTO Significantly Increases Fees From January 2025

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced significant fee changes for US IP rights, effective from 18 January 2025.  PatentsOn top of an increase of about 7.5% to most patent fees, significant increases and new fees have been introduced to incentivize efficient patent prosecution strategies and reduce the burden on patent examiners. …
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Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick Celebrates 30 Years in Sydney

This year, Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick (POF) proudly marks our 30th anniversary in the Sydney office. This milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on POF’s growth and to recognise where we are today. “Our Sydney office opened in Chatswood in 1994 following ever-increasing demand from our Sydney and NSW-based clients.  We are very pleased that our …
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