Patentability of Inventions Related to Human Embryonic Stem Cells

• Author: Margit Piirman
• Position: Adviser to the Civil Chamber, Supreme Court of Estonia
• Pages: 94-103

Margit Piirman

Adviser to the Civil Chamber

Supreme Court of Estonia

Patentability of Inventions

Related to Human Embryonic

Stem Cells

1. Introduction

Imagine the case where it is possible to treat patients who have suffered a spinal cord injury by using human

embryonic stem cell*1 (hereinafter referred to as the hESC) therapy. At f‌i rst glance, this might seem impossi-

ble, but Geron Corporation has already initiated a clinical trial of hESC-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor

cells. At that time, in 2010, Geron’s president, Thomas B. Okarma, considered this clinical trial a milestone

for the f‌i eld of hESC-based therapies.*2 Embryonic stem cells are stem cells derived from the blastocyst

stage of the embryo (5–7-day embryo).*3 These stem cells are pluripotent; that is, they have the capacity to

develop into any of the 200 cell types that make up the human body*4 and can proliferate in the laboratory

(in vitro) indef‌i nitely.*5 It is hoped that, because of the properties stem cells possess, it will become pos-

sible to use them in therapy for degenerative diseases or injuries*6, to use them to replace whole cells, and

to manipulate them to regenerate defective tissues or organs and cause them to grow back.*7 Clearly, the

potential benef‌i t for mankind from hESCs cannot be underestimated. Still, hESC research, especially the

patentability of inventions pertaining to hESCs, has created heated debate in Europe. One reason for this is

that, for obtaining the hESCs from the blastocyst stage of the embryo, the embryo is usually destroyed.*8

1 A stem cell is a precursor cell that gives rise to specialised cells of various types as well as to more stem cells. It is an undiffer-

entiated cell that can divide without limit and whose progeny includes both further stem cells or cells destined to differentiate.

See D. P. Clark, N. J. Pazdernik. Biotechnology: Applying the Genetic Revolution. Amsterdam etc.: Elsevier/Academic Press

2009, p. 733; G. Van Overwalle. European Commission, European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies to the

European Commission. Study on the patenting of inventions related to human stem cell research, 30.12.2001. Luxembourg

2002, p. 8.

2 Geron Initiates Clinical Trial of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Based Therapy. Available at http://www.geron.com/media/

pressview.aspx?id=1235 (2.4.2011).

3 D. P. Clark, N. J. Pazdernik (Note 1), p. 709.

4 G. Laurie. Patenting Stem Cells of Human Origin. – European Intellectual Property Review 2004 (26) 2, p. 60.

5 G. Van Overwalle (Note 1), p. 8.

6 European Group on Ethics in sciences and new technologies to the European Commission. Opinion on ethical aspects of

patenting inventions involving human stem cells. Opinion No. 16, 7 May 2002. Luxembourg 2002, p. 5.

7 D. P. Clark, N. J. Pazdernik (Note 1), p. 488.

8 M. Eder-Rieder. Aspekte der Stammzellentechnologie im Besonderen in Großbritannien, Deutschland, Österreich und

der Schweiz. – ZfEV 2007/4, p. 18; J. A. Johnson et al. Stemm Cell Research – CRS Report for Congress. – Practicing Law

Institute. Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, and Literary Property Course Handbook Series, September 2005, p. 359. (840

PLI/Pat 351).

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