Interview with Elza Durham - Patent Manager (Aché Laboratórios)

Leaders League. What are the main challenges of working with patents in Brazil?

Elza Durham. Several challenges exist. We could highlight the absence of a strong local IP culture, the existing patent backlog and, consequently, the low predictability of expiration dates in older patents – e.g. those deposited over 10 years ago – which are subject to Art. 40 of Brazil’s Industrial Property Law (LPI) and which will, therefore, remain valid for another decade once concession is granted. However, none of these challenges are limiting, and in fact, they might be considered opportunities. Most aforementioned obstacles can be overcome with technical know-how, comprehensive legal knowledge and an apt selection of well-prepared firms and experts to assist with each area.

How was 2018 at Aché Laboratórios from a legal perspective?

The relationship between strategic IP management and innovation is now consolidating itself within Aché and is part of our strategic planning for future years. Management and risk-mitigation initiatives remain a priority, together with keeping competitors at bay. More specifically, as our Patents department is based on a technical-legal interface, we currently focus on performing multidisciplinary work which will provide Aché with relevant knowledge about IP and, further on, economic benefits.

In recent years, how has technology impacted the company’s IP department?

Impacts can be measured in two ways: i) Our department is learning new technologies which should positively impact business in the near future; ii) Our department has developed new software to assist us with internal metrics and to help us anticipate answers to identified trends. In both scenarios, technology is understood as an inevitable force which can bring great benefits to our company.

How does Aché foster a culture of innovation among its employees?

Within the IP department we have specific initiatives such as Intellectual Property Day, in which for the last five years, legal and corporate experts have spoken to our staff about cutting-edge developments in intellectual property. Furthermore, we are part of the corporate Innovation Nucleus - consisting of company directors from different departments (Pharmacotechnical, Radical, Medical, New Business) - which brings all the employees linked to these areas together to promote staff participation in congresses and highlight the importance of innovation to our company.

The Brazilian healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors are in full expansion. In this context, what are Aché’s expectations for 2019?

The outlook is promising. In general, we can highlight plans for the development of new molecules sourced from Brazilian biodiversity as well as the use of data analysis tools more geared towards Aché’s new needs.

By: François Le Grand