ABSTRACT
Today, nanomedicine is at a very early stage. Some of the most advanced nanomedical applications are in the area of drug delivery, and these are still relatively rudimentary technologies [1, 2]. A small sampling of some of the nanomedical innovations currently under development include cancer diagnosis and treatment [3] and medical diagnostics [4, 5], while longer term research is directed to the areas of neuro-electrical interfaces [6] and nanorobotics [7]. Even with these exciting developments, it is clear that the true promise of nanomedicine still lies in the future.Some experts envision a future of “nanobots” able to be introduced to the human body and affect health directly at the cellular level. Specific applications of this technology may range from the targeted destruction of undesired cells, in the case of cancer cells, to wound closing and beyond. This potential reality will depend upon many factors, including the establishment of proper safety and regulatory guidelines, the establishment of well-controlled and economical production methods, and the establishment of high-quality intellectual property to reward innovators in the field. Unless these innovators and their funding sources are rewarded with acceptable returns in exchange for their hard work, it is unlikely that the expensive and difficult future work will be undertaken to truly realize nanomedicine’s potential. 1.1.2 Clinical Nanomedicine Is Unlike Previous
Technological RevolutionsThe current nanotechnology revolution is unlike previous revolutions such as the advent of the computer, the development of the Internet, and the development of the biotechnology industry in that fundamental technologies underlying these revolutionary advances were effectively unprotected by patents [8]. The nanotechnology revolution, however, is so far suffering from the opposite issue, in that “patent thickets” have developed over some of the fundamental technological bases upon which current nanotechnology products are being built [9]. These “thickets” are making it difficult to assess how one stands with respect to certain nanotechnology building blocks. What is required is for high-quality patents to issue and high-quality patent applications to be filed so that the true borders around ownership can be resolved and
thus licensing or other business activity can precede with greater confidence.
