[Fast track patent program for COVID-19 in BrazilProceso rápido de concesión de patentes para enfrentar la COVID-19 en Brasil]. / Concessão rápida de patentes para enfrentamento da COVID-19 no Brasil.

With the objective of stimulating the production and licensing of new technologies, the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), the agency responsible for granting patents in Brazil, created a priority or fast track procedure for patent processes related to innovations that can be used against COVID-19. The first effects of this institutional measure are assessed in the present work, based on the identification and analysis of the time elapsed between fast track requests by the Ministry of Health or through petition by the depositors themselves. The results demonstrate that the INPI was able to successfully respond to the public health emergency by granting patents on average 5.3 months after the fast track request, a time considerably shorter than the average required in usual processes.

Con objeto de estimular la producción y el otorgamiento de licencias de nuevas tecnologías, el Instituto Nacional de la Propiedad Industrial (INPI), entidad autónoma responsable de la concesión de patentes en Brasil, creó una modalidad de trámite prioritario para los procesos de concesión de patentes relativas a innovaciones que puedan emplearse en la lucha contra la COVID-19. En este trabajo se evaluaron los primeros efectos de esa medida institucional, al determinar y analizar la duración de los procesos prioritarios de concesión de patentes solicitados por medio de comunicación oficial del Ministerio de Salud o de una petición presentada por los propios solicitantes. Los resultados demuestran que el INPI pudo atender con éxito la emergencia de salud pública, al conceder patentes en un período promedio de 5,3 meses contados a partir de la fecha de presentación de la solicitud de priorización, un tiempo considerablemente inferior al promedio exigido en los procesos habituales.

Effect of Spatial Variation on Defensive Substances of Constrictotermes Cyphergaster Soldiers (Blattaria, Isoptera).

The composition of chemical weaponry of termite soldiers show interspecific and intraspecific variation. However, spatial effects on the qualitative and quantitative compositions of these substances in Neotropical termites are poorly known. Hexane extracts of heads and the defensive secretion of soldiers of Constrictotermes cyphergaster from four localities in Northeast Brazil were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Chemical analysis allowed the detection of 54 compounds from the head extract and from the direct extraction of the defensive secretion of soldiers, and the percentage of common substances and the presence of exclusive substances varied depending on the spatial distance between colonies. The profile of the chemical armament of soldiers consists basically of terpenoids: monoterpenes (45.53%-71.97 - for head extract and 57.41% - 78.56 for secretion) and sesquiterpenes (19.69% - 35.78% for head extract and 18.41% - 33.31%for secretion). In general, the main component of the chemical arsenal, regardless of the methodology used for extraction, was α-pinene (27.98-50.44%). Two chemotypes were identified based on chemical differences between populations of ecoregions with distinct spatial-environmental and climate characteristics: (1) α-pinene <33%; (2) α-pinene >33% for both extracts (head and secretion). The results reveal a similar pattern of chemical differentiation for soldiers in both extracts (head and secretion), with increasing differences as a function of distance between the analyzed colonies.

Spatial-temporal variation of parasites in Cnemidophorus ocellifer (Teiidae) and Tropidurus hispidus and Tropidurus semitaeniatus (Tropiduridae) from Caatinga areas in northeastern Brazil.

Parasites are natural regulators of their host populations. Despite this, little is known about variations in parasite composition (spatially or temporally) in environments subjected to water-related periodic stress such as the arid and semiarid regions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the spatial-temporal variation in endoparasite species' abundance and richness in populations of Neotropical Cnemidophorus ocellifer, Tropidurus hispidus, and Tropidurus semitaeniatus lizards in the semiarid northeast of Brazil. The location influenced the abundance of parasites in all analyzed lizard species, while season (dry and rainy) only influenced the total abundance for T. hispidus. In all seasons, males significantly showed more endoparasites than females in all lizard species, although for T. hispidus, this difference was only found in the dry season. Seasonal variations affect the abundance patterns of parasites. Likely, variables include environmental variations such as humidity and temperature, which influence the development of endoparasite eggs when outside of the host. Further, the activity of the intermediate hosts and the parasites of heteroxenous life cycles could be affected by an environmental condition. The variation in the abundance of parasites between the sampling areas could be a reflection of variations in climate and physiochemical conditions. Also, it could be due to differences in the quality of the environment in which each host population lives.

Cryptotermespugnus (Blattodea, Isoptera, Kalotermitidae), a new drywood termite species from the Brazilian Caatinga dry forest and key to South American Cryptotermes Banks, 1909.

A new termite species, Cryptotermespugnussp. nov., is described from northeastern Brazil. The winged imago of C.pugnus is distinguished from most congeners by the lack of arolia and the multiple branches connecting the median vein to the radial sector. The soldier is unique among South American Cryptotermes by its cuboidal head capsule and very rugose postclypeus. The new species constitutes the fourteenth Cryptotermes species on the continent for which we provide a key to soldiers.

Caste differentiation pathways in the neotropical termite Armitermes holmgreni (Isoptera: Termitidae).

The present study investigated the caste differentiation system of Armitermes holmgreni in natural colonies from the Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil. Thirteen measurements were made of the termites encountered in three colonies. The morphometric differences among the instars were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). The differentiation patterns of the nymphal lineages of A. holmgreni agreed with earlier descriptions of species of the Termitidae family, with one larval instar followed by five nymphal instars and alates. Nymphoid neotenics became differentiated starting at the fourth or fifth nymphal instar. Two larval instars were observed in the apterous lineage before the appearance of workers, presoldiers, and soldiers. Both workers and soldiers had only one instar each. The A. holmgreni workers consisted of male and female individuals, without sexual dimorphism, a situation that had not been previously recognized among the Syntermitinae. The A. holmgreni soldiers consisted only of female individuals, a pattern observed in most species of Termitinae and Macrotermitinae. The differentiation of nymphoid neotenics starting at the fourth or fifth nymphal instar has also been reported for Armitermes euamignathus. The general patterns of differentiation of A. holmgreni were similar to those previously observed in other species of Syntermitinae.

Intellectual property rights related to the genetically modified glyphosate tolerant soybeans in Brazil.

The present work analyzes the different modalities of protection of the intellectual creations in the biotechnology agricultural field. Regarding the Brazilian legislations related to the theme (the Industrial Property Law - no. 9. 279/96 and the Plant Variety Protection Law - no. 9. 456/97), and based in the international treaties signed by Brazil, the present work points to the inclusions of each of them, as well as to their interfaces using as reference the case study of glyphosate tolerant genetically modified soybean. For this case study, Monsanto's pipelines patents were searched and used to analyze the limits of patent protection in respect to others related to the Intellectual Property (IP) laws. Thus, it was possible to elucidate the complex scenario of the Intellectual Property of the glyphosate tolerant soybeans, since for the farmer it is hard to correlate the royalties payment with the IP enterprise's rights.

Inventive step assessment of top selling monoclonal antibodies in Brazil.

Introduction: The patent system is fundamental for the pharmaceutical industry development, providing a return on the large investment of time and financial resources. Among the patentability requirements, understanding how to comply with the inventive step is especially important for patent applicants. Regarding mAbs, due to the high affinity and specificity for their molecular therapeutic target, minimal structural changes can lead to unexpected properties, being a common issue among Patent Offices.Areas covered: The present research investigated the Brazilian patents covering top-selling mAbs.Expert Opinion: The more complete and detailed the mAb when the patent application is filed, the greater the chance of the patent being granted. It is necessary to disclose, at least, the six CDRs, the complete variable region, and/or the hybridoma. The Applicant shall specify faced obstacles during mAb generation, mainly if it is a common issue and resulted in improved properties. If it is possible, the Applicants shall compare the claimed mAbs to previous ones, focusing on the achieved unexpected or improved properties. After an objection by BRPTO, the Applicant shall submit data with quantitatively data about qualitative information disclosed at the Specification when filed. If applicable, show different epitope-binding and highlight clinical advantages of successful mAbs.

Wood litter consumption by three species of Nasutitermes termites in an area of the Atlantic Coastal Forest in northeastern Brazil.

Termites constitute a considerable fraction of the animal biomass in tropical forest, but little quantitative data are available that indicates their importance in the processes of wood decomposition. This study evaluated the participation of Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) (Isoptera: Termitidae), N. ephratae (Holmgren), and N. macrocephalus (Silvestri) in the consumption of the wood litter in a remnant area of Atlantic Coastal Forest in northeastern Brazil. The populations of this species were quantified in nests and in decomposing tree trunks, while the rate of wood consumption was determined in the laboratory using wood test-blocks of Clitoria fairchildiana Howard (Fabales: Fabaceae), Cecropia sp. (Urticales: Cecropiaceae), and Protium heptaphyllum (Aublet) Marchand (Sapindales: Burseraceae). The abundance of the three species of termites varied from 40.8 to 462.2 individuals/m(2). The average dry wood consumption for the three species was 9.4 mg/g of termites (fresh weight)/day, with N. macrocephalus demonstrating the greatest consumption (12.1 mg/g of termite (fresh weight)/day). Wood consumption by the three species of Nasutitermes was estimated to be 66.9 kg of dry wood /ha/year, corresponding to approximately 2.9% of the annual production of wood-litter in the study area. This consumption, together with that of the other 18 exclusively wood-feeders termite species known to occur in the area, indicates the important participation of termites in removing wood-litter within the Atlantic Coastal Forest domain.

Tauritermes bandeirai: A new drywood termite (Isoptera, Kalotermitidae) from the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest of Brazil.

The imago and soldier castes of a new Tauritermes Krishna, 1961 species, Tauritermes bandeirai sp. nov. are described. It is the fourth species of Tauritermes and occurs from the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Unlike its congeners, the soldier of T. bandeirai has prominent frontal horns.

Illegal trade of songbirds: an analysis of the activity in an area of northeast Brazil.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze the chain and dynamics of the trade of wild birds between keepers and traders in an area of northeast Brazil. Profit from the purchase and sale of these animals in the trade chain was also estimated. METHODS: The information was obtained through interviews with direct participants in the wild bird trade chain. RESULTS: We recorded a total of 34 bird species involved in illegal trade. In general, the purchase and sale values of songbirds are associated with the attractiveness and songs of the birds. Regarding the commercial potential of the species, those with high numbers of traded individuals had higher average purchase values and, especially, sale values. Birds with lower purchase values showed higher sale profits and were sold in large numbers. The purchase and sale values of songbirds in the present study show a significant economic return for those involved in this activity. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study may provide data to support future studies on the conservation of wild birds, assisting in monitoring illegal trade, a persistent problem in the region studied.

Termite usage associated with antibiotic therapy: enhancement of aminoglycoside antibiotic activity by natural products of Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky 1855).

BACKGROUND: Several species from Insecta are used as remedies. Among these species, the termite Nasutitermes corniger is commonly used in traditional medicine in Northeast Brazil. The present work tests the modifying antibiotic activity of Nasutitermes corniger, a termite used in folk medicine in Northeastern region of Brazil. METHODS: Chlorpromazine and decocts of N. corniger were collected from two different plant species used in the traditional medicine were tested for their antimicrobial activity against strains of Escherichia coli resistant to aminoglycosides. The growth of two bacterial strains of E. coli was tested using decocts and chlorpromazine alone or associeted with aminogycosides. RESULTS: The MIC and MBC values were > or =1024 microg/ml for both strains of E. coli assayed. A significant synergism was observed between both decocts and chlorpromazine when assyed with neomycin. This synergism with neomycin indicates the involvement of an efflux system in the resistance to this aminoglycoside. CONCLUSION: Therefore it is suggested that natural products from N. corniger could be used as a source of zoo-derived natural products with modifying antibiotic activity to aminoglycosides, being a new weapon against the bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

Consumption Rate of Lichens by Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Isoptera): Effects of C, N, and P Contents and Ratios.

Wood is the main dietary item for most termites; however, supplementation with certain nutrients may occur via the ingestion of other available food resources in the ecosystem. The objective of this study was to evaluate the consumption of lichens with different C, N, and P contents by Constrictotermes cyphergaster under laboratory conditions, and estimate the intake of this substrate by this species in a semi-arid area of Northeast Brazil. The foraging activities of fifteen field colonies were monitored over 15 days from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., and the lichens that were consumed were identified. Blocks of lichen thallus (1.5 × 1.5 cm) of four lichen species were offered to the termites in the laboratory. The mean total consumption rate of lichen by C. cyphergaster was 0.032 mg lichen/g termite (fresh weight)/day. Dirinaria confluens was the lichen most consumed by termites (0.010 mg lichen/g of termite (fresh weight)/day), followed by Lecanora spp. and Haematomma persoonii at a mean consumption of 0.008 and 0.006 mg lichen/g termite (fresh weight)/day, respectively. Based on the size of the C. cyphergaster populations, the estimated lichen consumption rate was 105.12 g lichen/ha/year. Lichen consumption was significantly affected by the N content and the C:N and C:P ratios, with the N content being the factor that best explained the consumption by the termites. The results suggest that C. cyphergaster can use lichens as a supplemental source of nutrients, especially nutrients that are found in low concentrations in wood.

Animal-based remedies as complementary medicines in Santa Cruz do Capibaribe, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The use of animal products in healing is an ancient and widespread cross-cultural practice. In northeastern Brazil, especially in the semi-arid region, animals and plants are widely used in traditional medicine and play significant roles in healing practices. Zootherapies form an integral part of these cultures, and information about animals is passed from generation to generation through oral folklore. Nevertheless, studies on medicinal animals are still scarce in northeastern Brazil, especially when compared to those focusing on medicinal plants. This paper examines the use and commercialization of animals for medicinal purposes in Brazil's semi-arid caatinga region. METHODS: Data was obtained through field surveys conducted in the public markets in the city of Santa Cruz do Capibaribe, Pernambuco State, Brazil. We interviewed 16 merchants (9 men and 7 women) who provided information regarding folk remedies based on animal products. RESULTS: A total of 37 animal species (29 families), distributed among 7 taxonomic categories were found to be used to treat 51 different ailments. The most frequently cited treatments focused on the respiratory system, and were mainly related to problems with asthma. Zootherapeutic products are prescribed as single drugs or are mixed with other ingredients. Mixtures may include several to many more valuable medicinal animals added to other larger doses of more common medicinal animals and plants. The uses of certain medicinal animals are associated with popular local beliefs known as 'simpatias'. We identified 2 medicinal species (Struthio camelus and Nasutitermes macrocephalus) not previously documented for Brazil. The use of animals as remedies in the area surveyed is associated with socio economic and cultural factors. Some of the medicinal animal species encountered in this study are included in lists of endangered species. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that a large variety of animals are used in traditional medicinal practices in Brazil's semi-arid northeastern region. In addition to the need for pharmacological investigations in order to confirm the efficiency of these folk medicines, the present study emphasizes the importance of establishing conservation priorities and sustainable production of the various medicinal animals used. The local fauna, folk culture, and monetary value of these activities are key factors influencing the use and commercialization of animal species for therapeutic purposes.

[Specificities of patent protection in the pharmaceutical industry: modalities and traits of intellectual property]. / Especificidades do patenteamento no setor farmacêutico: modalidades e aspectos da proteção intelectual.

Different forms of protection for inventions in the pharmaceutical industry point to strategies for the perpetuation of patent protection. Based on a literature review showing the specificities of patenting in the industry, the article provides a brief history of drug patents in Brazil, a discussion of patentable and non-patentable inventions, and the modalities and traits of patent protection that aim to extend the temporary monopoly granted under the patent. Such strategies include patents targeting polimorphs and optical isomers of drugs and drug combinations and specific clinical preparations, increasingly present in the drug patent claims filed by pharmaceutical companies. The study's objective is to discuss the specificities of drug patent claims in order to help develop expertise in the area and discuss the impact of expanding the scope of patent protection. In conclusion, while the tendency to expand towards more a permissive protective scope could produce opportunities for Brazilian national inventors, it could also be harmful to a policy for access to medicines.

Nest Population Structure and Wood Litter Consumption by Microcerotermes indistinctus (Isoptera) in a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest, Northeastern Brazil.

Termites are abundant arthropods in tropical ecosystems and actively participate in the process of litter decomposition. The objective of this study was to evaluate the population structure of Microcerotermes indistinctus in arboreal nests and to estimate their contribution to the consumption of wood litter in an area of Caatinga, a type of seasonally dry tropical forest located in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The populations of fifteen nests were quantified and separated into castes, "larvae", and eggs. Wood blocks of four typical Caatinga species were offered to termites under laboratory conditions. Litter production was estimated in the area over the course of one year. The mean population size of M. indistinctus was 73,897 individuals/nest, while the mean nest density in the area was 25 active nests/ha. Total consumption of the four types of wood was estimated to be 10.5 mg of wood/g termite (fresh weight)/day. Based on consumption and population size, M. indistinctus consumes 0.35% of the total litter and 1.71% of the annual production of branches and twigs in the area. Wood-consuming termites are highly affected by anthropogenic disturbances in the semi-arid region of Brazil, putting the ecosystem services they perform related to the process of litter decomposition at risk.

Revisiting the concept of Innovative Developing Countries (IDCs) for its relevance to health innovation and neglected tropical diseases and for the prevention and control of epidemics.

INTRODUCTION: Countries have traditionally been split into two major groups: developed or industrialized ("the North") and developing or underdeveloped ("the South"). Several authors and organizations have challenged this classification to recognize countries that have reached an intermediate stage of social and economic development. As proposed by Morel and collaborators in 2005, the concept of Innovative Developing Countries (IDCs) defines a group of nations with impactful scientific programs. Here, IDCs are reexamined by a variety of metrics to highlight their role in health innovation through research and development (R&D) programs on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that also positively impact epidemic preparedness. RESULTS: To address the global changes due to expanding globalization we updated the original indicator of the number of USPTO patents deposited by individual countries per GDP and per capita to the number of international patents applications, related to applicant residence and deposited under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) per GNI (or GDP) and per capita. A comparison of the originally described ranking of top innovative countries to those in the present study revealed new members that updated the list of IDCs and showed a prominent role now played by China. Analyzing scientific publications in international journals since the introduction of the IDC concept in 2005 we found that IDCs do prioritize Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) as an area of research. Finally we investigated the role of IDCs in two major public health emergencies between 2012 and 2016, the outbreaks of Ebola in West Africa and Zika in South America. An analysis of the co-authorship country networks demonstrated an important role for IDC infrastructure and personnel in the prevention and control of these epidemics. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Different techniques can be used to evaluate and measure innovative performance of countries. Country rankings published by traditional indexes, such as the Bloomberg Innovation Index (BII) and the Global Innovation Index (GII), only include high income economies among the top 20 performers. This is in sharp contrast to our approach, which identified 8-9 IDCs among the first 25 with China occupying the top position. Through an analysis of the pros and cons of the different methodologies, the IDC concept challenges more conventional approaches to address and estimate the innovative capacity of countries.

Transference of bioactive compounds from support plants to the termites Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Isoptera).

This study aims to investigate the microbiological potential of the termite species Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri, 1901) and its support plants. We collected five C. cyphergaster nests from three different support plant species. Microbiological assays were performed on these extracts using the serial microdilution method in triplicate to measure the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each microorganism for the analysed extract. The ethanol extracts of the termite C. cyphergaster showed no significant activity against strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with an MIC >1000 µg mL-1. Only the extracts of the nests and termites with the nest had the same MICs. These results were in contrast to the extracts of Spondias tuberosa (Umbuzeiro), Poincianella pyramidalis (Catingueira), and Amburana cearensis (Cumaru), which demonstrated significant activity against S. aureus with MICs <1000 µg mL-1. The modulating activity of the extracts tested in the present study demonstrated potentiation of most antibiotics across the bacterial strains tested when combined with the extracts for both S. aureus and E. coli. These results indicate that the extracts tested in the present study may be composed of animal and vegetable origins with the potential to modify the activity of antibiotics and thus may aid in antimicrobial therapy.

Amazonian forest termites: a species checklist from the State of Acre, Brazil / Térmitas da Floresta Amazônica: uma lista de espécies do Estado do Acre, Brasil

Abstract The Brazilian state of Acre is located in the southwestern Amazon and it is characterized by a humid tropical forest vegetation that covers plains and mountains. Up to this point, the composition of termite species in the state is not known. The aim of this study was to provide a checklist of termite species or recognizable taxonomic units for the state of Acre. Sampling was conducted through field expeditions at the Serra do Divisor National Park, Chandless State Park, Humaitá Forest Reserve, and Chico Mendes Environmental Park using a standardized rapid termite inventory protocol in the first two areas and active searching collections in the others, without a specific protocol. This study also included occurrence records published in the scientific literature. A total of 128 species and morphospecies of termites were found in Acre, distributed across 59 genera and four families. The most frequently occurring species in Acre was Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen, 1858). The study also identified six new species records for Brazil. The predominant feeding groups were soil-feeders and wood-feeders, as expected from data obtained from surveys in humid tropical forests. Despite the significant number of new records for Acre (112), it is concluded that a larger sampling effort is still required, as many areas of the state have not yet been studied for termites.

Resumen O estado brasileiro do Acre está localizado no sudoeste da Amazônia e é caracterizado por uma vegetação de floresta tropical úmida que cobre planícies e montanhas. Até então, a composição de espécies de térmitas no estado não é conhecida. O objetivo desse estudo foi construir um checklist de espécies ou unidades taxonômicas reconhecíveis de térmitas para o estado do Acre. A amostragem foi conduzida através de expedições de campo no Parque Nacional da Serra do Divisor, no Parque Estadual Chandless, na Reserva Florestal Humaitá, e no Parque Ambiental Chico Mendes utilizando o protocolo rápido de diversidade de térmitas nas duas primeiras áreas e coletas avulsas nas demais, sem um protocolo específico. Este estudo também incluiu registros de ocorrência publicados na literature científica. Um total de 128 espécies e morfoespécies de térmitas foram encontradas no Acre, distribuídas em 59 gêneros e quatro famílias. A espécie de ocorrência mais frequente no Acre foi Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen, 1858). O estudo também identificou seis novos registros de espécies para o Brasil. Os grupos alimentares predominantes foram os humívoros e xilófagos, como esperado a partir de dados obtidos de pesquisas em florestas tropicais úmidas. Apesar do número significativo de novos registros para o Acre (112), conclui-se que ainda é necessário um esforço amostral maior, uma vez que muitas áreas do estado ainda não foram estudadas para térmitas.

[How much does the backlog on drug patents cost for health in Brazil?] / Quanto custa o atraso na concessão de patentes de medicamentos para a saúde no Brasil?

The backlog in processing patent applications in Brazil has persisted since the enactment of Law 9,279/1996, when the country resumed granting patents on drugs. The agencies responsible for granting such patents, namely the Brazilian National Patent and Trademark Office (INPI) and the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) cite technical and administrative reasons for the backlog. However, little research has focused on the economic impacts for health due to the inefficiency of the Brazilian patent system. The current study thus proposes a methodology to estimate the extent to which government procurement of medicines is burdened by the backlog in drug patent applications. According to the results, a total of more than BRL 14 million (USD 4.5 million) is spent unnecessarily per year by the Federal Government on just one antiretroviral drug due to the extension of the respective patent's life. Measures to resolve this situation are urgently needed in the three branches of government. These include hiring more staff for the INPI, analysis of bills of law under review in the two houses of the Brazilian Congress to amend the Industrial Property Law, and ruling on direct class action claims of unconstitutionality to suppress the legal mechanisms that allow extending the life of patents.

Concessão rápida de patentes para enfrentamento da COVID-19 no Brasil / Fast track patent program for COVID-19 in Brazil / Proceso rápido de concesión de patentes para enfrentar la COVID-19 en Brasil

RESUMO Com o objetivo de estimular a produção e o licenciamento de novas tecnologias, o Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (INPI), autarquia responsável pela concessão de patentes no Brasil, criou uma modalidade de trâmite prioritário para processos de patentes relativos a inovações que possam ser usadas no combate à COVID-19. Os primeiros efeitos dessa medida institucional foram avaliados no presente trabalho, a partir da identificação e análise do tempo dos processos prioritários de patente solicitados por ofício pelo Ministério da Saúde ou por meio de petição pelos próprios depositantes. Os resultados demonstram que o INPI foi capaz de atender de forma exitosa à emergência de saúde pública, concedendo patentes em um período médio de 5,3 meses a contar do pedido de priorização, um tempo consideravelmente inferior à média exigida nos processos usuais.

ABSTRACT With the objective of stimulating the production and licensing of new technologies, the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), the agency responsible for granting patents in Brazil, created a priority or fast track procedure for patent processes related to innovations that can be used against COVID-19. The first effects of this institutional measure are assessed in the present work, based on the identification and analysis of the time elapsed between fast track requests by the Ministry of Health or through petition by the depositors themselves. The results demonstrate that the INPI was able to successfully respond to the public health emergency by granting patents on average 5.3 months after the fast track request, a time considerably shorter than the average required in usual processes.

RESUMEN Con objeto de estimular la producción y el otorgamiento de licencias de nuevas tecnologías, el Instituto Nacional de la Propiedad Industrial (INPI), entidad autónoma responsable de la concesión de patentes en Brasil, creó una modalidad de trámite prioritario para los procesos de concesión de patentes relativas a innovaciones que puedan emplearse en la lucha contra la COVID-19. En este trabajo se evaluaron los primeros efectos de esa medida institucional, al determinar y analizar la duración de los procesos prioritarios de concesión de patentes solicitados por medio de comunicación oficial del Ministerio de Salud o de una petición presentada por los propios solicitantes. Los resultados demuestran que el INPI pudo atender con éxito la emergencia de salud pública, al conceder patentes en un período promedio de 5,3 meses contados a partir de la fecha de presentación de la solicitud de priorización, un tiempo considerablemente inferior al promedio exigido en los procesos habituales.