Intellectual Property Strategy and Management System
Oneness Biotech specializes in researching and developing innovative new drugs at the cutting edge of global pharmaceutical technology. These R&D achievements require sound intellectual property protection to ensure the maintenance of product values and future profitability. To ensure effective intellectual property management, to prevent infringement of the intellectual property rights of others, and to strengthen the transparency and effective management of corporate governance, the Company regularly discloses on its website the intellectual property management plans connected to the Company’s operational objectives and how the plans have been executed. Related reports are submitted to the Board of Directors at least once a year.
A systematic intellectual property management mechanism and the intellectual property management system have been established, in order to optimize the protection of intellectual property and newly developed drugs and to maintain the Company's competitive and innovative edge. We have compiled an Intellectual Property Management Manual, which serves as the guiding principle for intellectual property management and relevant operating procedures in accordance with the Taiwan Intellectual Property Management System, Version 2016 (TIPS). A Plan-Do-Check-Action cycle is employed to ensure effective operations of the intellectual property management system and to realize intellectual property management policies and objectives. The Company passed the Taiwan Intellectual Property Management System (Grade A) certification issued by the Institute for Information Industry on November 22, 2021 for the first time. We continue to apply for re-certification, and the current certification is valid until December 31, 2024.
Intellectual Property Risks, Countermeasures, and Intellectual Property Policies
Upon assessment and analysis of those internal and external issues, stakeholders, and opportunity risks that are associated with intellectual property management, relevant countermeasures have been proposed and implemented to perfect the intellectual property management mechanism, reinforce employees’ concept of intellectual property, and minimize the risks of intellectual property risk (IPR) infringement or infringement accusations. These measures include adopting the TIPS management system and passing its certification, organizing employee training courses on the concept of intellectual property and trade secret protection, and scheduling training sessions on the TIPS operation system.
In consideration of internal and external issues related to stable development, an intellectual property management system and an R&D process with positive cycles have been adopted, and the following intellectual property management policies have been formulated:
- Strengthen intellectual property portfolio, continued accumulation of IPR, and reinforcement of R&D capabilities
- Enhance protection against the leakage of trade secrets and key technologies
- Implement a sound intellectual property management system
- Implement corporate governance and legal compliance to earn the trust of shareholders and customers and improve the corporate image
Patent Management
Intellectual property management is carried out in accordance with the patent rights management rules and regulations stipulated in the Intellectual Property Management Manual and the R&D cycle of the internal control system. All procedures of the R&D process are documented in detail and R&D achievements are subject to regular review.
Patent search and analysis and economic benefits assessment mark the first step of the R&D and patent application stage. After patent review meeting discussions, the final decision on whether or not to apply for a patent is made. At the same time, a professional patent firm is hired to assist in reviews and submission of documents for intellectual property rights applications. In addition, employees are encouraged to patent their inventions so as to improve the quality and value of patent rights. During the R&D process, we also carry out patent searches for relevant technologies to facilitate patent portfolio development and reduce the risk of infringement. If a submitted patent application is approved after review, the employee(s) involved will be rewarded based on the evaluation result, which is also used as a reference for employee performance appraisal. The Company’s R&D achievements and technological leadership position are protected and consolidated by implementing an internal review mechanism, incentive system, intellectual property education, and talent training.
Trade Secret Management
Concerning the protection of trade secrets, all employees are required to sign the“Labor Employment Contract”, which clearly stipulates the ownership of intellectual property rights, confidentiality clauses, and non-competition clauses. Employees’ awareness of the importance of trade secret protection is raised by relevant education and training, and all employees are reminded to protect trade secrets related to their duties and responsibilities. In terms of internal management, we have adopted confidentiality management measures to control personnel, equipment, confidential documents, and the working environment. The Company’s internal documents are classified, and user authorities are strictly defined. Document access must be in conformity to the document management procedure, is subject to approval, and shall be recorded. In terms of facility access control, internal control areas are defined to control access to facilities where confidential documents may be accessed. This includes access control for office areas and data centers, and restrictions on the activity range of visitors.
Intellectual Property Achievements
Intellectual property management plans are linked to the Company’s operational objectives and are carried out by the corresponding R&D units under the lead of the unit heads. Intellectual property-related affairs are reported to the Board of Directors in the fourth quarter of each year. The last report took place on November 9, 2023. Patent and technical documents are stored and managed using an electronic document management system. Such documents are regularly inventoried and reviewed. We also track the progress of patent application examination in close cooperation with patent firms. In addition, intellectual property-related training is provided on a yearly basis to strengthen employees’ awareness and understanding of intellectual property rights protection. In 2023, a total of 1 intellectual property-related educational training session was held, lasting 2 hours, with a participation rate of 90%.
Patents
Trademarks
Countries/areas where the patents are disclosed:
Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, India, China, Russia, South Africa, the Europe, Mexico, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South America, Israel, the Gulf Cooperation Council
※The above content is taken from the ESG Report