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"Preface" [2017] ELECD 801; in Matthews, Duncan; Zech, Herbert (eds), "Research Handbook on Intellectual Property and the Life Sciences" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2017) xviii

Book Title: Research Handbook on Intellectual Property and the Life Sciences

Editor(s): Matthews, Duncan; Zech, Herbert

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781783479443

Section Title: Preface

Number of pages: 3

Extract:

Preface


Intellectual property (IP) is a key component of the life sciences, one of the most dynamic
and innovative fields of technology today. At the same time, the relationship between IP
and the life sciences raises new public policy dilemmas. With that in mind, in this volume
we set out to ask leading experts from academia and industry alike to prepare an overview
and an in-depth analysis of current topics in IP and the life sciences.
Although there is no clear definition of the term life sciences, it is very commonly
used. It comprises the science behind medicine, pharmacy and agriculture and their cor-
responding industries. Nowadays ever more industries rely on life sciences, the chemical
and the food industry being two pertinent examples. From an academic perspective, life
sciences can be defined as the use of living organisms (biotechnology) and the protection
or treatment of living organisms (medicine, veterinary medicine and plant protection).
The term is helpful because it shows that formerly distinct research areas such as biology,
biochemistry, physics or informatics have merged and combined their methods. Moreover,
the life sciences can no longer be seen as the mere pursuit of knowledge but are always
linked closely to their application. In turn, life sciences technologies like PCR (polymerase
chain reaction) have become tools for further discoveries.
IP is of great importance for the life sciences since it is an industry that is not only highly
dynamic but at the same time requires huge investments for developing new ...