ArticleHealth Canada Announces Federal Marijuana Legislation Will Be Introduced In The Spring Of 2017Canada's new Prime Minister continues to make waves on the global stage.CanadaFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life SciencesSmart & Biggar
ArticleHealth Canada Proposes To Amend The Food And Drug Regulations And Medical Devices Regulations To Address ShortagesOn December 28, 2024, Health Canada published proposed amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations and Medical Devices Regulations to address therapeutic product shortages...CanadaFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences
ArticleNew Court Proceedings (November 2022)JUBLIA (efinaconazole): Bausch Health and Valeant Canada v Pharmascience.CanadaFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life SciencesSmart & Biggar
ArticleOntario proposes legislation to regulate preferred provider networksFollowing two public consultations with stakeholders, the Government of Ontario (Ministry of Finance) is moving forward with legislation to regulate preferred provider networks (PPNs).CanadaFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life SciencesSmart & Biggar
ArticlePMPRB Adopts Amended Interim Guidelines To Expedite New Patented Medicine Price ReviewsThe PMPRB recently decided to adopt its Amended Interim Guidance, effective immediately (see our firm's article on the amendments here). The Amended Interim Guidance indicates...CanadaFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life SciencesSmart & Biggar
ArticlePMPRB Releases Report On Expensive Drugs For Rare DiseasesThe report provides an overview of the market for EDRDs, including a comparison between Canada and PMPRB comparator countries.CanadaFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life SciencesSmart & Biggar
ArticleSandoz Granted Leave To Add New Allegations On Condition Of Trial Adjournment And Extension Of 24-month StayIn a decision rendered on August 17, 2022, the Federal Court granted Sandoz Canada Inc (Sandoz) leave to amend its Statement of Defence to add new allegations...CanadaFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life SciencesSmart & Biggar
ArticleSanté Canada publie ses rapports trimestriels sur le rendement de la Direction des instruments médicaux pour les deuxième et troisième trimestres de 2025-2026Santé Canada a publié ses rapports trimestriels pour les deuxième et troisième trimestres de 2025-2026, présentant des données détaillées sur les délais de traitement des demandes d'autorisation de mise en marché d'instruments médicaux.CanadaFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life SciencesSmart & Biggar
ArticleUnveiling The Gaps: Year One Of CIHR's Clinical Trial Registration RulesData transparency is becoming a priority for life sciences research. It is a good time for Canadian researchers to refresh themselves on best practices when it comes to data sharing.CanadaFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life SciencesSmart & Biggar
ArticleA Step Towards Canadian Ratification Of "NAFTA 2.1"Bill C-4, entitled An Act to implement the Agreement between Canada, the United States of America and the United Mexican States was tabled in the Parliament of Canada on January 29, 2020. CanadaIntellectual PropertySmart & Biggar
ArticleAdvantages Making The Federal Court Of Canada An Increasingly Desirable Forum For Intellectual Property DisputesThe vast majority of IP litigants in Canada already make the Federal Court their choice of forum.CanadaIntellectual PropertySmart & Biggar
ArticleBill C-86 – Canadian Government Proposes More Changes To Trademark Rights In CanadaAfter three years, any registration can be cancelled for non-use, thus deterring plaintiffs from relying on registrations for marks that are not in use.CanadaIntellectual PropertySmart & Biggar
ArticleCanadian Trademarks Office Issues New Limits On Extensions Of Time For Responding To Office ActionsPrior to January 17, 2020, extensions of time were readily available during Canadian trademark prosecution. A single six-month extension could be secured without providing any substantive reasons. CanadaIntellectual PropertySmart & Biggar
ArticleCoexistence Of Trademarks: The Limited Scope Of Consent AgreementsTrademark practitioners in Canada know that consent agreements between a trademark applicant and the owner of a cited trademark are not easily accepted by the Trademarks Office (TMO).CanadaIntellectual PropertySmart & Biggar
ArticleCollaborative Search And Examination (CS&E) Pilot Project – The More Patent Searching The MerrierSeveral patent offices have launched a "Collaborative Search and Examination" Pilot Project ("CS&E"), which will allow examiners from key patent offices to collaborate on examination of PCT Applications.CanadaIntellectual PropertySmart & Biggar
ArticleDivided Over Patent InfringementA person can be liable for patent infringement when he or she makes a product that includes all the features found in the patent’s claim or claimsCanadaIntellectual PropertySmart & Biggar
ArticleDo You Really Have An Enforceable License?During a bankruptcy or a restructuring, the goal of bankruptcy law is at odds with the goal of intellectual property law. CanadaIntellectual PropertySmart & Biggar
ArticleDoing The Wright Thing: When A Good Apology Is All You NeedCivil contempt of court proceedings are quasi-criminal in nature.CanadaIntellectual PropertySmart & Biggar
ArticleDon't Take The Bait: Avoiding Trademark Phishing ScamsThe College of Patent Agents & Trademark Agents (CPATA) recently issued an alert regarding a surge in fraudulent emails targeting trademark owners. As is typical of these "phishing" scams, the emails often pressure...CanadaIntellectual PropertySmart & Biggar
ArticleDouble Trouble: Avoiding Pitfalls In Canadian Pharmaceutical Patent PracticeOver the past several years, the environment for pharmaceutical patents in Canada has improved significantly.CanadaIntellectual PropertySmart & Biggar