Cancer patent scenario in Brazil: Analysis of competitive advantages

Abstract The present study describes the geographical and sectorial profile of chemical and biotechnological patents, regarding prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for the most frequent cancer types in Brazil that are currently registered in the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property – INPI, from 1998 until 2013. The steps taken to generate competitive advantage in the Brazilian oncological drug market are discussed and an analytic sectional survey was performed using the INPI database. In addition, a literature review on technology and scientific development was conducted using the Porter's Diamond of National Advantage model. From 503 requests for patents, 41.4% corresponded to breast cancer, 13.7% lung cancer, 38.6% prostate, and 6.4% cervical cancer. Regarding the sectors and countries involved, the vast majority (74.4%) came from the pharmaceutical industry: mainly from the USA and Switzerland. According to the analysis and the Porter Diamond Model, we concluded that Brazil is uncompetitive in cancer R&DI.