Patent Application in Brazil increases 6% in 2012

Despite the international uncertainty, patent application in Brazil increased 6% between 2011 and 2012[1]. The growth started back in 2010, after the first symptoms of the global crisis in 2008 and 2009 which reduced the numbers of patent application.

Whether in universities, companies, multinationals or research institutes, innovation is the main concern among all of them, in every sector. Not only has the production raised but also the need for intellectual protection in a large emerging market.

Growing demand claims for more efficiency. The INPI (Brazilian National Institute of Intellectual Property) is taking its steps towards better efficiency by offering the inventors a system that enables online applications and monitoring, similar to the ones that the USPTO (USA) and EPO (European Union) already have. This is expected to make the patent filing process in Brazil simpler and more straightforward.

References: http://www.inpi.gov.br/portal/artigo/pedidos_de_patentes_apresentam_crescimento_de_6_no_ano_passado

---

[1] For further information about INPI statistics, go to http://www.inpi.gov.br/images/stories/downloads/patentes/pdf/Patentes_Depositadas_e_Concedidas.pdf

Innovation in the Medical Device Sector

The concept of Innovation is always linked to the idea of creativity, novelty, technology. Nevertheless, it doesn’t restrict itself to gigantic transformations in expensive technologies. Innovation is usually seen when the problem is identified and better or new methods are created to solve it or to improve a daily process.

In the medical device industry, this preconception is frequently made. Even in this sector, innovation does not necessarily involve large investments but, most importantly, it involves the comprehension of the patient’s needs and its fulfillment to save his life or to improve his quality of life.

Unlike the consumer space where there are no barriers to different ideas, the medical device sector deals with regulatory systems, which dictate the requirements that the industry must meet. Obviously, the regulatory system is concerned about setting high standards for the safety of the patient, but sometimes it can inhibit innovative ideas.

References: http://www.mddionline.com/article/medtech-innovation-doesnt-have-be-expensive

Another Attempt to Globalize the Medical Device Industry

When it comes to a globalized economy, one obstacle always bothers the free trade: the regulatory systems of the countries. To stimulate the global economy and favor the free international trade, it is important to think of a way to converge rules and so, the free movement of goods will not become a slow bureaucratic process. As for a harmonized regulatory system for medical devices, the task is even harder because it also deals with national health laws.

This was the concern when in 1992 the European Union (EU), the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia gathered together to establish a method to harmonize the regulations on medical device. The voluntary group was called Global Harmonization Task Force (GHTF) and brought together representatives from medical device regulatory agencies and the regulated industry from its founding members.

Almost 20 years later, the new economic scenario called for new representatives. So, “to build on the strong foundation work of the GHTF and to accelerate international medical device regulatory harmonization and convergence”, the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF) was conceived in February 2011, replacing the GHTF. Besides the original 5 founding members of the GHTF, it included Brazil to the discussion of future directions in forming an international harmonized and convergent regulatory system for medical devices.

The membership of China and Russia are currently being confirmed and the new Forum, including the 6 official members, China and the WHO (World Health Organization, an observer member), met in Ottawa in October 2011 to establish strategic topics for its operation.

Trying to standardize rules among the GHTF member countries was a big challenge, now with the creation of the IMDRF and new members added, the debate becomes even harder. Despite the adversity, the future results might turn out to be stronger and more creative once it takes into consideration different points of view. There is still a long way of hard work to build a harmonized and convergent regulatory system, which provides solutions to all the five countries and EU’s concerns. We hope the members create an environment of dialog to accelerate the harmonization and convergence of their regulatory systems, so that we could have a real “international medical device regulatory system”.

References: http://www.imdrf.org/

Brazilian Health Devices Industry Growth Disappoints

The Brazilian Association of High Tech Industry of Medical Equipment, Products and Supplies (Abimed) has recently shown the unsatisfactory results of the Brazilian health devices industry in 2012. Although it has grown above Brazilian growth rate (around 2%), the sector expected a higher progress at the beginning of the year.

The health devices market presented an increase of 4,2%, the industry showed a rise of 3,2% and the sector has created 5 thousand new jobs, which represents an increase of 3,2%.

There are many explanations for this disappointing fact. The national economic growth presented a terrible performance (not only because of the international crisis, but also because of the Brazilian structural problems), the National Health Surveillance Agency strike which jeopardized the health market supply and the slowness on inspections at international factories. Abimed also indicates that the devaluation of the exchange rate and the absence of support for innovation and local production postponed the development.

However, the Association believes there is space for a 10% rate of growth in 2013.

“Brazil is the sixth economy in the world and it represents a 2,8% in World’s GDP, but only a 0,5% in the world’s health devices market. (…) we believe in the economic recovery.”

Carlos Goulart

President of Abimed

References: http://saudeweb.com.br/34165/setor-de-produtos-para-a-saude-cresce-abaixo-do-previsto-diz-abimed/

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Biokyra wishes you a New Year full of peace and hope.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Sincerely,
Team Biokyra.

Be welcome, Innovation.

From Europe 2020 to Strategy for American Innovation. From Brasil Maior to Industrial R&D Promotion Programme. All the governmental programs mentioned above try to create conditions and stimulate a national foundation for innovative industries in the European Union, United States, Brazil and India. Innovation seems to be the answer for national development and sustainable economic growth.

Seeking to increase a better understanding of innovative approaches and measurement, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) developed the Oslo Manual[1], which provides guidelines for collecting and interpreting innovation in an internationally comparable manner. Even with limitations, every new edition of the Oslo Manual represents a step forward to the understanding of the innovation process.

Using the meanings and criteria of the Oslo Manual, the UNESCO Institute of Statistics presented the 2011 UIS Pilot Data Collection of Innovation Statistics[2]. Comparing 12 countries from different regions and at different levels of development, it seeks to show the different stages of innovation process around the world, taking especial attention to developing countries.

As one shall conclude, innovation is a concern for both developed and developing countries. With different levels of innovation process, each one acts according to its needs and goals. Catching up is the main target for developing countries in order to not fall behind in international trade and development. As for developed countries, they have reached a stage of progress that the only way of not becoming outdated is with

“(…)Investments, technology development, innovation and good management practices(…)”

President Dilma’s speech, April 3^rd, 2012

References: http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/

http://www.whitehouse.gov/

http://www.brasilmaior.mdic.gov.br/

http://india.gov.in/

http://www.oecd.org/

http://www2.planalto.gov.br/

---

[1] For further information about the Oslo Manual, access http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/OSLO/EN/OSLO-EN.PDF

[2] For further information about the 2011 UIS Pilot Data Collection of Innovation Statistics, access http://www.uis.unesco.org/ScienceTechnology/Documents/Innovation-statistics-en%20(2).pdf

Cardiovascular Diseases: a Global Concern

Although the world of the new millennium has seen many improvements in the health sector, the path of healing diseases is far to be overcome. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are still huge challenges for the medical society.  More people die annually from this kind of illness than from any other cause and that is the reason why it has been given an especial attention worldwide.

According to the World Health Organization (WTO), an estimated 17.3 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in 2008, representing 30% of global deaths. Coronary heart diseases and stroke are the main causes of these deaths (almost 80%). It is well known worldwide the main factors that increase the probability of getting a stroke: unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, overweight, high blood pressure, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol.

Besides, low and middle-income countries are the most affected, about 80% of world’s death from CVD. As reported by the WHO, “people in low and middle-income countries are more exposed to risk factors such as tobacco (…). At the same time they often do not have the benefit of prevention programs compared to people in high-income countries.” Meanwhile, at a macro-economic level, it represents a heavy burden on the economies of low and middle-income countries. Non-communicable diseases – including cardiovascular and diabetes – are estimated to reduce GDP by 6,77% in low and middle-income countries facing rapid economic development.

The programs to fight against cardiovascular diseases are highly expensive. Integrated actions at country level, led by governments, are the means to maintain the people away from risk factors and, hence, not allowing it to become a burden on national economies.

There is no difference in Brazil. Around 300 thousands of people die from cardiovascular diseases each year, according to the Brazilian government. Nevertheless, by the public healthcare system (SUS), the government provides many preventive actions programs, diagnosis and free treatments for CVD.

References: http://www.who.int/en/

http://portalsaude.saude.gov.br/portalsaude/