Webinar Recording: Protecting Trade Secrets in the Pharmaceutical Industry in the Age of COVID-19

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In this webinar, Seyfarth attorneys Dean Fanelli, Dawn Mertineit, and Kate Perrelli, with in-house counsel Julie McCarthy, General Counsel and Vice-President of Legal Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, discuss defining and protecting trade secrets in the pharmaceutical industry.

Even in “normal” times, pharmaceutical companies can easily spend in excess of $1 billion for the discovery and development of a new pharmaceutical product. Trade secrets are an invaluable intangible asset that, in conjunction with a pharmaceutical company’s patents and trademarks, form the foundation of a company’s overall intellectual property strategy. In a world racing to find an effective and safe vaccine for COVID-19 (as well as in the midst of R&D on other products/therapies), while simultaneously having a substantial portion of the workforce working from home, the stakes are even higher. Proper implementation of a sound trade secret strategy at an early stage is essential for both large and small pharmaceutical companies to protect their confidential proprietary information, especially in light of the current pandemic and in preparation for any future pandemics.

The panel addresses the following topics, among others:

• Defining and understanding trade secrets in the pharmaceutical market, including how federal and state trade secrets statutes and decisions may impact the protection of trade secrets.
• How work from home policies and “return to work” plans can increase risk, and best practices for protection of trade secrets in light of these risks.
• How best to protect trade secrets in light of increased collaboration and competition in the fight against COVID-19.
• The in-house counsel perspective on protection of trade secrets in light of the current pandemic.

 

This recording is eligible for CLE credit in CA, IL, NY, and NJ. Credit is pending in TX.  All other jurisdictions will be applied for as requested, but please note that not all states allow for distance learning so some states will be ineligible. To request CLE credit, fill out this form and return it to CLE@seyfarth.com.  If you have questions about jurisdictions, please email CLE@seyfarth.com. CLE credit for this recording expires on 6/08/2021.