SCC rules medical treatment methods are not patentable, but drug-dosing regimens can be
Supreme Court of Canada Justice Mahmud Jamal said for the majority that broadening the test for an unpatentable method of medical treatment would ‘dramatically reduce the number and scope of medical patents in Canada.’
Friday, July 17, 2026 @ 4:48 PM
Last Updated: Friday, July 17, 2026 @ 5:57 PM
The Supreme Court of Canada has reaffirmed that Canadian patent law bars patent claims for “methods of medical treatment” but has also clarified that drug-dosing regimens can be patentable subject matter if they do not seek to monopolize professional medical skill and judgment. In its 158-page judgment handed down July 17, the top court 9-0 dismissed the appeal by generic drug manufacturer Pharmascience Inc. from decisions of the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal that affirmed the validity of the patent owned by the respondents, Janssen Inc. and Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. ... [read more]
Feds to spend $607M in next phase of plan to end gender-based violence
Friday, July 17, 2026 @ 5:21 PM
Canada’s government is spending more than half a billion dollars to support the next phase of its decade-long push to eradicate gender-based violence. On July 16, it was announced that Ottawa will be investing $607.4 million into its ongoing National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence — a 10-year initiative where participating provinces and territories sign on to the plan and, in exchange, receive funding to help implement the plan in their respective jurisdictions. ... [read more]
Feds announce projects to advance Canada-Mexico Action Plan with $12M fund
Friday, July 17, 2026 @ 5:06 PM
Canada has announced several projects and $12.1 million in funding to advance the Canada-Mexico Action Plan, including to combat human trafficking. ... [read more]
Alberta court declines to refer shareholder dispute to arbitration for lack of jurisdiction
Friday, July 17, 2026 @ 4:13 PM
The Alberta Court of King’s Bench has declined to refer a shareholder redemption dispute to arbitration, finding that it lacked jurisdiction because there was no binding arbitration agreement and one party had not consented to the court determining the scope of the proposed arbitration. ... [read more]
UN convention on cybercrime a step closer to coming into force as Canada signs on
Thursday, July 16, 2026 @ 4:55 PM
Canada is now the 79th signatory to the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, a groundbreaking treaty aimed at providing a legal basis for international cooperation in the fight against cybercrime. ... [read more]