PIUG Biotech 2023 - Plenary

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PIUG 2023 Biotechnology Conference

Organ-on-a-Chip Technology: Patent Landscape to Promote Innovation Christoph Schweitzer Milewski, Director ICTB- Fiocruz andWainse Barroso, Fiocruz 3:00 – 3:30 pm  ABSTRACT The use of animals in science is a subject of controversy, it contributes to R&D new drugs and vaccines. There are methods to seek the use of alternatives and less cruel methods to increasingly reduce the use of animals in projects. Among these alternative methods, there is a device known as organ-on-a-chip, consisting of a microchip containing layers of cells from a particular organ that are exposed to other cells, substances in general, or as drugs: even pathogens, such as fungi, to study and explore how they can occur between them. This is a newer technology which currently offers the possibility of simulating the functioning of various human or animal organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, intestines, bone marrow, etc. The present study was carried out in October 2022, using the Clarivate Analytics’ Derwent Innovation Index (DII) database, applying the term “organ-on-a-chip”. We found 51 patent documents where the first patent specification was filed with the USPTO in 2008 by inventor Uwe Marx, seeking protection for the following claim categories: “self-contained organ-on-a chip device” (claims 1 to 32), “method of manufacturing a self-contained organ-on-a-chip device” (claim 33), “supply unit for receiving the self-contained organ-on-a-chip device” (claims 34 to 37), “method of manufacturing” (claims 38 to 42), “method of testing the effect” (claim 43), and “use of the self-contained organ-on-a-chip device” (claim 44). The most recent organ-on-a-chip patent application was filed Feb. 12, 2021, by Univ California and claims, “A multilayer organ-on-a-chip system” (1 to 17) and “A method of screening drugs or agents” (18 to 20). We conclude that the main applicants are universities, that Brazil may have a competitive advantage in this field since few patent applications have been filed in this field, and that the main feature of the claims includes devices and methods for drug discovery.  BIOGRAPHIES Christoph Milewski holds a degree in Law from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) (Brazil) and in Biology from the Baptist University of Minas Gerais (FBMG) (Brazil). He has experience in law and management. He has a specialization in Public Law, Management of Organizations in Health Care Science and Technology, Clinical Immunology and Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Harvard University. He holds a Master’s degree in Administrative Law from the Faculty of Law of the Fluminense Federal University (UFF) and is a Doctorate Student in Management, Research and Development in the Pharmaceutical Industry from the Professional Graduate Program of the Institute of Technology in Pharmaceuticals, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz). He is currently the Director of the Institute of Science and Technology of Biomodels of Fiocruz.