What is the present world scenario of intellectual property rights with respect to life materials? Although, India is second in the world to file patents, still only a few have been commercialized. Explain the reasons behind this limited commercialization. (Answer in 150 words)

Introduction

Life-material patents sit at the intersection of innovation, public health, biodiversity and ethical limits on ownership of living resources.

Global context

• TRIPS permits patent protection subject to national exclusions, while debates continue on genes, biological processes, traditional knowledge and access to medicines.
• The Nagoya framework and India’s biodiversity law stress benefit sharing and prevention of biopiracy.

Why patents do not commercialise

• Weak university-industry links, limited proof-of-concept funding, complex approvals, uncertain IP ownership and poor technology-transfer offices delay scaling.
• Low industry R&D, inadequate incubation, fragmented regulation and limited market access further widen the valley of death.
• Support translational grants, patent quality, standardised licensing, shared laboratories and predictable regulation.

Keywords: TRIPS, biopiracy, Nagoya Protocol, technology transfer, valley of death.