Geertrui Van Overwalle

P1.6 Geertrui Van Overwalle is professor at the Center for Intellectual Property Rights (Centrum voor Intellectuele Rechten - CIR), KULeuven. In the field of human genetics, the applicants from CIR have internationally reputed expertise on the patenting of human genes and human stem cells. In the framework of FP5 they carried out an in depth study of the delicate issue of patents on human tissue and informed consent. The applicants are also at the core of research on patents and drugs. They have developed large knowledge on the technicalities of the registration and patenting procedure and on the wider issue of drug patents, public interest and public health. The applicants also have acquired large expertise in carrying out empirical studies. The human stem cell research encompassed an empirical survey of patent practices, next to an in depth study of international, European legislation, case law and legal doctrine.