Off-patent innovation

How do you beat that in-built obsolescence in some products? We will discuss that at our event

The summer months have been spent researching and putting together the conference agenda for the last agrochemical conference that we are holding in 2008: Crop Protection: Post Patent Products, IPR and Parallel Trade.

Although I've previously researched this topic when speaking with some of my contacts this year, there seemed to be a shift in content that they wanted on the agenda.

People that I have spoken with are now talking about innovation with off-patent products and product lifecycle management, with a big drive towards looking for new commercial opportunities for old molecules and developing strategies to improve a molecule's competitive profile, and also expand a molecule's scope or extend it's patent life.

It seems as if the boundaries between innovator companies and top end generics are blurring, with both types of companies conducting more original research with old molecules.

It's not all new, though.

The result of late potato blight. We need science to help combat this problem Photo: Scott Bauer/ARS - USDA

Once again, the regulatory requirements and impacts of the revision to 91/414 were near the top of most people's "must-have sessions" (Warnings mount on food impact of EU agrochemical plans, Agrow.com, April 30th, 2008).

Within the regulatory landscape, the topic that seems to be causing most interest at the moment is mutual recognition - in particular, the differences in attitudes towards mutual recognition that exist across Europe.

The ECJ judgement in France vs. Commision relating to common origin was also flagged up as something that needed to be put on the agenda.

These topics, coupled with the impacts of AIR, 91/414, will mean that the six regulators that we have confirmed to speak should have plenty to talk about (and possibly many questions from the attendees).

With the agenda now complete, it is evident that an event that was originally conceived as a meeting place specifically for generic companies has transformed into an event that will serve any company working with old, off-patent molecules.

With the brochure now complete, I hand over to the marketing team. And if they have been as busy as me, your copy of the brochure should be landing on your desk soon!

My next job is getting ready for Berlin and the Agchemforum - I'll be reporting back on that event later next month.

To register for the event, email us or call +44 (0) 20 7017 7481.