European Union: Life Sciences, Biotechnology & Nanotechnology

The European Commission has launched its first formal antitrust investigation in the medical devices sector, examining whether Align Technology may have abused its dominant position by restricting interoperability between its Invisalign clear aligners and competing intra-oral scanners. The investigation focuses on allegations that the company created a closed ecosystem, forcing dental professionals to purchase iTero scanners to access Invisalign products for their patients.

The OECD has released two groundbreaking test guidelines specifically designed for nanomaterials, addressing critical gaps in standardized testing methods for dustiness determination and environmental fate assessment. These new protocols provide regulatory frameworks for measuring how nano-objects behave under various conditions, supporting decision-making processes across OECD member countries. The guidelines build upon existing OECD testing standards while introducing specialized methodologies tailored to

A European Patent Office Technical Board of Appeal decision examines when algorithmic features in medical monitoring systems can support inventive step claims. The case centers on a blood glucose variability measurement system where the technical effect depends critically on the observation period, raising fundamental questions about claim scope and technical contribution.

A value-in-dispute determination is a procedural decision governed by R. 220.2 and R. 220.3 RoP, even when included in the operative part of a final decision.

The Netherlands is poised to dramatically expand its foreign direct investment screening regime by adding six highly sensitive technology categories—including biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology...

When assessing the requirement for a procedural security, namely the question whether the Claimant has “sufficient means” to compensate the Defendant for the legal costs incurred in the proceedings, only the financial situation of the Claimant should be taken into consideration, but not the financial situation of the holding company behind the Claimant.

At McDermott’s European Health & Life Sciences Symposium 2026, more than 350 leaders gathered in Paris from across the life sciences and healthcare ecosystem to discuss the trends that are defining the sector’s future.

Gérard Haas et son équipe ont compilé pour vous les actualités clés afin de vous permettre de rester à jour sur les dernières tendances et évolutions des secteurs juridique et numérique.

Boehringer sought injunctive relief against Zentiva Portugal in respect of the launch of a generic version of its drug marketed as Ofev® (containing nintedanib used for treating chronic lung diseases).