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Although increased patenting has accompanied the development of antivirals as in vivo therapeutics, ongoing US litigation reflects concerns regarding their patentability.
Academic researchers have regularly ignored patents on key technologies as a strategy to maneuver around patent thickets and freedom-to-operate issues, but they may be more at risk than they realize.
As genetic testing moves into mainstream medicine, its restriction by gene patent holders will have far-reaching, detrimental effects on the healthcare system.
Characteristics of the complex and growing stem cell patent landscape indicate strategies by which public sector research institutions could improve the efficiency of intellectual property agreements and technology transfers in stem cells.