Argentina's Patent Treaty Accession Stalls in Congress After Decades

Argentina's long-delayed accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) continues to stall in the Chamber of Deputies, despite Senate approval in 1998. This international agreement, managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), allows a single PCT application to have the same legal effect as filing separate patent applications in all 158 member countries. This would significantly reduce administrative costs and increase predictability for innovators.

Experts highlight the treaty's potential to boost Argentina's innovation ecosystem. María Eugenia Estenssoro, a journalist and former senator, pointed out that Argentina is the only G20 country not to have joined the PCT. She noted that while Argentina produces many high-impact entrepreneurs, they often have to relocate due to existing regulations. The PCT would also extend the deadline for seeking financing to 30 months, a substantial increase from the current 12 months.

Argentina, along with Bolivia, Paraguay, and Venezuela, are the only Latin American countries not yet part of the treaty. The delay is seen as a significant impediment to the country's scientific and economic progress. "We have a big problem, which is how to transform science into economic value," said Juan Carlos Soria, an organizer for Crossing Over BioExpo Latam. He added that Argentina is not investing enough in talent, unlike China, which leads the world in patent applications.

Adriana De Siervi, founder of the startup Oncoliq, emphasized the importance of patents for securing funding, stating, "Until you file a patent application, no one will finance you." The National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) reported 1,259 patents granted and 4,235 applications filed in Argentina in 2023. The ongoing delay in ratifying the PCT is widely viewed as a missed opportunity for Argentina to fully integrate into the global innovation landscape.