Origiin IP Academy (OIPA), India’s premier institute for Intellectual Property(IP) learning launched E-learning certification courses in IP with a duration of 6-8 days. IP expertise is seen to play a principal role in the development of new drug development and manufacturing  technologies among others. The scores of patent litigations and expiries in several key therapeutic areas call for the need of experts having a thorough understanding of the issue.

The criteria of the short, yet intensive course is to help the pharma and biotech sector offset the skill deficits in IP. The certification courses include Patentability Search, Freedom to Operate Analysis, Validity/Invalidity Search etc. These courses would be offered in various modes of learning such as online live and e- learning apart from classroom training. These courses specifically target practical applications of IP, Bindu Sharma, Patent Attorney and chief executive officer, Origiin IP Solutions LLP told Pharmabiz.

In fact, Orgiin IP Academy is the  only one in country so far to offer IP courses in various modes of learning keeping in mind the different types of requirements, she added.

The candidates keen to opt for the online course need be graduates in science, pharmacy and biotechnology in addition engineering graduates could also apply.

Currently, patents are gaining considerable importance going by the increase in filings for both process and product exclusivity. Pharma and biotechnology companies have set up dedicated regulatory departments and hired patent experts on board which creates the need for more specific courses. “There are various workshops conferences but our courses are more of hands on, said the Origiin IP Solutions chief.

The course are designed by IP experts including academicians, IP attorneys, patent agents and industry professionals keeping in mind the need of the participants to perform IP tasks independently and immediately after completion of the courses.

The Academy is well known for providing training to the students appearing for Indian Patent Agent Examination for past five years, the results of which have been overwhelming.

The key objective of the course is to provide high-quality IP education by giving an insight into the practical applications of patent practices and enable the participants to work independently and immediately after completion of the course. “We expect the response to be very good driven by the fact that this is the first online course offer in the country,” she stated.

The Academy launched the online courses on the occasion of the International IP day observed annually on April 26 by Chandrasekaran S, former Controller General of Patent, Designs, and Trade Mark & GI and the Former Member (Technical) of the Intellectual Property Appellate Board. Dr Rama Murthy, Head, Emerging Technology department, Jain University and Raghu Ram, IP consultant were also present.