Belfast iPad app set to benefit drug industry
AN iPad app aimed at helping medical professionals and patients and offer commercial opportunities for the industry has been developed in Belfast.
The AtoZGenerics app is the brainchild of Patentnav, an intellectual property service consultancy based at the Northern Ireland Science Park.
The developmnent is one of the first patent information apps for iPads which will provide key details of prescription drugs for a variety of users.
The app provides information on European and US patent expiry dates and covers common drugs such as Lipitor, the cholesterol lowering pill and Plavix, for those with heart-related illness, along with some lesser known prescribed drugs.
“The AtoZGenerics app contains a lot of valuable information that can be difficult to find and all for only 59p,” said Patentnav founder Dr Eddie O’Gorman, who explained the inspiration behind the app.
“There is a big push for generic drugs right now and many of the blockbusters are coming off patent protection in the coming five years,” he said.
“This provides commercial opportunity for companies in the sector and in order to be prepared they need to be knowledgeable of the current patent status of drugs they are interested in producing. This app will be useful as a quick reference by patent professionals, managers, health professionals and even patients.”
The app provides expiry dates on US patent term extension and UK Supplementary Protection certificate expiry dates as well as approximate global drug sales.
When requested, the app will also be updated with new drugs and further data as downloaders can suggest drugs which can then be added as part of any updates.
“It’s clear that Northern Ireland Science Park tenants are at the forefront of innovation and Patentnav is just one of them,” said NISP director of corporate real estate and facilities, Mervyn Watley.
“It was only a few months ago that Patentnav teamed up with Bubble to create an app that took students and investors through the difficult patent process and already they are enjoying further success with the AtoZGenerics app.
“At NISP we aim to foster an environment where companies can grow and we take great pride in seeing local companies excel.”
Patentnav is also working on the development of interactive iPad apps for more complicated patent information, e.g. patent landscape reports which can be updated automatically every week or month.
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Wednesday 30 May 2012
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