Supplementary Protection Certificates
Understand how Supplementary Protection Certificates extend patent rights for medicines and plant protection products.
Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) are a form of intellectual property that extends patent protection for medicines and plant protection products.
SPCs provide protection for active ingredients in medicinal and plant protection products, addressing the delay caused by obtaining marketing authorisations.
An SPC takes effect after the original patent expires and can extend protection for up to five years. For medicinal products that have undergone approved paediatric studies, an additional six-month extension may be available.
To qualify for an SPC, you must:
- hold a valid patent for the active ingredient
- have obtained the first marketing authorisation for that ingredient within the UK
The SPC is granted to the patent holder, not to licensees or manufacturers.
SPCs do not extend the patent themselves but offer similar protection for the specific product authorised. They are only effective within the UK and do not provide international protection.
For comprehensive guidance on SPCs, including application procedures and legal frameworks, the UK Intellectual Property Office provides .