RARECast: Incentives Boost Innovation in Rare Disease Therapies

Patent filings in the area of rare diseases suggest government incentives have worked to spur innovation, according to a new report from the international intellectual property firm Marks & Clerk. The report examines patent filings in the areas of rare diseases, antibiotics, and vaccines. We spoke to Gareth Williams, partner and European patent attorney with Marks & Clerk, about the report, the role Big Pharma is playing, and some surprises on the list of top filers of rare disease related patents.

RARECast is a weekly series by Daniel S. Levine. Levine is an award-winning business journalist who has reported on the life sciences, economic development, and business policy issues throughout his 25-year career. He founded Levine Media Group in 2013, which produces The Bio Report and RARECast podcasts. Read his full bio here.