Supplementary Protection Certificates
Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) database for agrochemicals.
A valuable tool for determining the patent status of agrochemicals in Europe
AgSPC.db is a database of European Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) for Plant Protection Products (PPPs). It was created in 1997 to record and track PPP SPC applications which started to be made following the entry into force of Regulation (EC) No 1610/96 of the European Parliament.
AgSPC.db has been updated on a monthly basis ever since and is, therefore, a comprehensive record of past, present and future PPP SPCS in 271 countries.
For more detailed information on AgSPC.db, please download our brochure.
PPP SPCs are an intellectual property right that aims to offset the loss of patent protection for PPPs which occurs due to the mandatory testing required to obtain regulatory marketing approval. They apply to specific agrochemical products, come into effect upon patent expiry and last for up to a maximum of five years. They are granted in Europe on a national basis. The actual term of the extension depends on a number of issues, key being the first marketing date of the product.
Article published in PJB's Agrow magazine
The importance of Supplementary Protection Certificates in protecting the EU agrochemical market from generic competition.
For further details E-mail nigel.uttley@enigmamarketingresearch.com
1AgSPC.db covers all 27 EU countries except Cyprus and Malta plus Norway (which is a member of the European Economic Area and therefore under Regulation (EC) No 1610/96) UK and Switzerland (which has its own National law from 1998).
“The complex European patent system, with 31 national Offices, turns the retrieval of vital SPC information into a time consuming, uncertain and stressful exercise.
In order to safely develop a Plant Protection Product (PPP) in Europe, it is essential to have the most accurate, up to date and comprehensive SPC information. EMR’s SPC database, AgSPC.db, delivers such information.
AgSPC.db is absolutely essential for any company interested in developing a “Patent safe” PPP in Europe.”
Henrique Raminhos, Patent Manager, Helm AG