Retrospective patent surveys have been conducted since 1973 for the countries referred to in worldwide patent databases, particularly for the territory of Poland, with regard to the current legal status of patents. The surveys are generally based on a technical database Thomson Scientific Derwent CPI Farmdoc, unique in Poland. Additionally, Chemical Abstracts, Ensamble, Integrity and PatChem - a self-created database of Polish patents and applications - are used. Espacenet (foreign applications and patents), Polish Patent Office online database as well as the official Patent Office publications are also researched.

Patent Attorneys Unit's main tasks include:

1. Intellectual property rights protection and obtaining exclusivity rights for innovations and inventions developed in Pharmaceutical Research Institute.
2. Patent surveys on active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and/or pharmaceutical dosage form technology available globally, with a particular emphasis on Poland.
3. Patent purity evaluation of the API synthesis and/or dosage form technology, including the risk evaluation of a patent collision with exclusive right holders.

Our services include:

1. Patent surveys in chemistry and pharmacy, including the API synthesis, polymorphism and pharmaceutical dosage form studies.
2. Analysis and review of the technical and patent purity of the API synthesis and pharmaceutical dosage forms technology.
3. Information on the legal status of patents in Poland and other countries.

Staff:

• Scientific staff - 3 persons (including 2 Patent Attorneys and 1 Attorney Apprentice)
• Technical staff - 2 persons

Contact:	Ewa Krzywdzinska, M.Sc.
Phone:	(+48 22) 456 38 76
Fax:	(+48 22) 456 38 38
E-mail: