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ARTICLE · 13 JANUARY 2025

AI And Life Sciences – A Practical Guide To Protecting Your Innovations

Lewis Silkin
Lewis Silkin
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Lewis Silkin

Lewis Silkin

Joint managing partners: Jo Farmer, Richard Miskella International offices: Dublin, Hong Kong...

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The rapid development and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the life sciences sector is providing life changing advancements in medical practices, therapeutics, diagnostics, and personalized medicine.

United KingdomIntellectual Property
Emma Bevan
Emma Bevan
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The rapid development and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the life sciences sector is providing life changing advancements in medical practices, therapeutics, diagnostics, and personalized medicine.

However, obtaining patent protection for artificial intelligence and machine learning based inventions in life sciences can be challenging, particularly due to specific legal requirements relating to the patentable nature of this combination of subject matter.

Patentable subject matter

Patent applications combining AI and life sciences are frequently rejected by a Patent Office due to subject matter ineligibility grounds far more frequently than other life sciences inventions. Common objections are based on the claims being directed to subject matter that is excluded from patentability because they are abstract and relate to discoveries, scientific theories, or they are non-technical in nature. To be patentable an invention must be of both a concrete

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