Source: Mondaq

Mondaq explores the growing intersection between artificial intelligence and patent law in the life sciences sector. As AI is increasingly used for drug discovery, diagnostics, and clinical research, it poses novel legal questions, especially concerning inventorship and patent eligibility. Current legal frameworks generally require human contribution to recognize inventorship, which complicates the protection of innovations developed or co-developed by AI systems.

The article highlights recent legal debates over whether AI-generated inventions should be patentable, referencing landmark cases and regulatory responses in the US, Europe, and other jurisdictions. The life sciences industry is particularly affected due to the speed at which AI accelerates research and development processes. Concerns also arise regarding transparency, reproducibility, and data privacy, which must be considered in tandem with intellectual property protections.

Lawyers and companies are urged to adapt their IP strategies, including the way patents are drafted and the documentation of human input in AI-assisted research, to mitigate legal uncertainty and ensure enforceability.