Intellectual Property

  Drug development can consume over half of a 20-year patent term, leaving innovators with limited market protection. The U.S. Patent Term Extension (PTE) system (35 U.S.C. §156), introduced un der Hatch-Waxman and the 1988 Generic Animal Drug Act, restores up to 5 years of lost exclusivity plus an optional pediatric extension by compensating for regulatory review delays. In the EU, Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) offer similar relief, with a maximum of 5 years (plus 6 months for pediatric studies) scoped to active ingredients.   To qualify for a PTE/SPC, patents must be un expired, never previously extended, and tied to a first regulatory approval of a drug, device, or other regulated product. Applications must be filed promptly following approval and adhere to precise calculation rules that factor out pre-grant delays and periods of applicant inactivity.   With PTE/SPCs, companies gain vital revenue to recoup the $2.6 billion average R&D cost per drug...

Behind many of the products we use daily are groundbreaking design choices that redefined their entire industries. Think beyond aesthetics . True industrial design transforms functionality, user experience, and even cultural norms.   Take the invention of the Coca-Cola Contour Bottle , a design so unique it’s instantly recognized across the globe. Or the Apple iPhone , which didn’t just update mobile phones but reimagined how we communicate, work, and live. Then there's the Sony Walkman , a portable music player that puts personal audio into millions of pockets and redefines how we consume entertainment.   These are just glimpses into how innovative design shapes the world around us , often in ways we don't even realize. From elegant furniture to iconic technology, the best designs solve real problems while becoming timeless symbols of their era.   Want to dive deeper into the stories behind these and other world-changing designs?   Read the complete list her...