News & Events
Latest updates
PRESS RELEASE – HGF strengthens European presence with three new Partners in France and Germany
HGF is pleased to announce the arrival of three new partners, further strengthening its European presence. Two partners will be joining the firm’s fast-growing French practice, and one will join …
Read articleG1/23: The Enlarged Board of Appeal shift EPO practice towards an “on-sale” bar.
Last week, the EPO’s Enlarged Board of Appeal (EBA) issued its Decision that both a product put on the market before the date of filing of a European patent application, …
Read articleThe EPO Board of Appeal comments on the scope of the morality exclusion from patentability
The recent decision, T1553/22 of the Board of Appeal required the Board to consider the scope of the exclusions from patentability under Article 53(a) EPC. The invention in this case …
Read article
Wrestling with G1/24 – How should the claims be interpreted in view of the description?
In G1/24, the Enlarged Board of Appeal (EBA) codified how claims should be interpreted for assessing patentability: in consultation with the description. However, the decision was light on how, in …
Read article
Welcome to HGF Presents – New Video Series
Introducing HGF Presents a new video series delivering practical insights into European Patent Law and practice. Curated by our leading experts in chemistry, life sciences, technology & engineering, each concise …
Read articleSeminar on Incorporating Trade Secrets into your IP Strategy
HGF is hosting a Seminar on Incorporating Trade Secrets into your IP Strategy which will be followed by networking, apero, and snacks. The Seminar will be held on Wednesday, 10th …
Read article
Providing Enabling Disclosure for AI inventions at the EPO
Video overview: The equivalent to the enablement requirement in the US at the EPO is Sufficiency. There is an increasing trend for the sufficiency of AI related patent applications …
Read article
Personalised Medicine Patenting of Known Drugs for Known Indications at the EPO
Video overview: The identification of specific sub-groups of patients to treat with a known drug, even if said patients may have been treated before with the drug, can yield patentable …
Read article
Novelty Over Clinical Trials at the EPO
Video overview: Second medical use claims can be novel over clinical trials in European patents. Typically, such a claim would be fairly narrow, e.g. perhaps mapping onto specific indications and …
Read article
Regulatory Exclusivity for Medicinal Products in Europe
Video overview: New Medical Products 8 years of data exclusivity, followed by 2 years of market exclusivity. +1 year market exclusivity possible for a new indication showing significant clinical benefit. No exclusivity granted for new formulations or routes of …
Read article
Added Matter – Part 2
Video overview: Pre and Post-Grant Amendments are governed by Articles 123(2) & 123(3) EPC respectively Before grant, amendments can broaden the claim scope as long as the resulting claim is …
Read article