Australia: Life Sciences, Biotechnology & Nanotechnology

In recent years, there has been an increase in freebirths in Victoria. A woman’s decision to freebirth may be influenced by a range of factors, including concerns of unnecessary intervention and an increased risk of birth trauma within the hospital system.

US technology, pharma, and life science companies establishing Australian subsidiaries to access R&D tax incentives face complex international tax challenges. When intercompany agreements are drafted without proper coordination between US transfer pricing rules and Australian R&D Tax Incentive requirements, companies risk significant IRS exposure including platform contribution payment obligations, cost reallocations, and penalties that can exceed the intended tax benefits.

NSW Medical Council’s conditions imposed on a cardiothoracic surgeon were stayed under the National Law.

Practitioners are instructed to take additional caution and care when prescribing medicinal cannabis given its addictive properties and potential for misuse.

Reforms in IVF laws and regulations to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the IVF industry.

The impact of international tariffs means farmers and growers across the country are under immense pressure.

The reforms will provide simpler regulatory processes for chemicals of low regulatory concern.

Information sharing practices during the COVID-19 era are contributing to a growing bank of prior art and, further, are increasing the risk of self-disclosure for those wishing to pursue patent protection for their inventions.

An inherent tension exists at the nexus between IP and clinical trials arising from the requirements for obtaining patent protection and the disclosure requirements for registration of a clinical trial.