T 0780/89 (Immunostimulant) of 12.8.1991 | XEPC: EPC and PCT resource

European Case Law Identifier:

ECLI:EP:BA:1991:T078089.19910812

Date of decision:

12 August 1991

Case number:

T 0780/89

Application number:

85102045.3

IPC class:

A61K 31/53

Language of proceedings:

Distribution:

Download and more information:

No PDF available
Documentation of the appeal procedure can be found in the Register
Bibliographic information is available in:	DE \| EN \| FR
Versions:	OJ

Title of application:

Applicant name:

Bayer

Opponent name:

Board:

3.3.02

Headnote:

1. General immunostimulation or stimulation of the body's own defences by the use of particular compounds, in conjunction with specific prophylaxis against certain infections, is to be classed as therapeutic treatment and therefore as not susceptible of industrial application in accordance with Article 52(4) EPC (point 6 of the Reasons for the Decision).
2. If an increase in meat production is merely the consequence of improved health and a lower death rate because of therapeutic treatment with a specific substance, this secondary effect does not deprive the use invention of the character of a therapeutic treatment excluded from patentability in accordance with Article 52(4), first sentence, EPC (point 7 of the Reasons for the Decision).

Relevant legal provisions:

European Patent Convention 1973 Art 52(4)

Keywords:

Therapeutic treatment
Prophylaxis
Immunostimulation

Catchwords:

Cited decisions:

Citing decisions: