The US/China Trade Agreement: what could it mean for the Pharma Industry?

Following a long period of negotiation, Phase I of the US-China Trade Agreement was published on 15 January 2020. An important element of the negotiations from the US side had focussed on the need for China to recognise and strengthen the protection of intellectual property (IP) rights held by US companies in China. Chapter 1 of the Agreement is of particular relevance to pharmaceutical companies as it contains a broad range of measures that, if implemented into law and properly enforced, could have a significant beneficial effect for IP rights owners in China.