The DPIIT-IPR Chair, in collaboration with the Centre for Applied Research in Public Health Law, Rights and Policy (CPHL) and the Centre for Research in Intellectual Property (CRIP) at Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai, is organizing a Conference and Paper Presentation on the theme “Cure vs. Commerce: Public Health and Pharmaceutical Patents.” The event will be held on 30 March 2026 at the MNLU Mumbai campus.
Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai was established under the Maharashtra National Law University Act, 2014, and since its inception in 2015 has focused on advancing legal education and research. The university hosts several specialised research centres dedicated to exploring contemporary legal issues and contributing to policy-oriented scholarship.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE- Cure vs. Commerce: Public Health and Pharmaceutical Patents
The relationship between pharmaceutical patents and public health remains one of the most debated issues in intellectual property law. Patent regimes are designed to incentivise innovation by granting exclusive rights to pharmaceutical inventors. However, these protections may also affect the availability and affordability of essential medicines, particularly in developing countries where access to healthcare remains a major challenge.
In recent years, global health crises, technological advancements in drug development, and evolving intellectual property regimes have intensified discussions on how legal frameworks should balance commercial incentives for pharmaceutical innovation with the public interest in access to life-saving medicines. Questions concerning patent protection, compulsory licensing, access to vaccines, and global pharmaceutical governance continue to shape policy and academic debates worldwide.
This conference seeks to create a scholarly platform for critical engagement with these issues. It aims to bring together students and researchers to explore the legal, policy, and ethical dimensions of pharmaceutical patent protection and examine how intellectual property frameworks interact with broader public health objectives. Through research papers and presentations, participants will be encouraged to analyse contemporary developments in intellectual property law and propose innovative solutions that reconcile innovation incentives with equitable access to medicines.
Original and unpublished research papers addressing issues related to pharmaceutical patents, access to medicines, and the intersection of intellectual property law and public health policy are invited. Selected papers will be shortlisted for offline presentation at the conference.
VENUE
Date: 30th March 2026
Time: 11:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Venue: Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai, 2nd and 6th Floor, MTNL Building, Technology St, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400076
PRIZES
Best Paper Presenter: ₹5,000
First Runner-Up: ₹3,000
Second Runner-Up: ₹2,000
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission of Research Articles: 23rd March 2026
Communication of Shortlisted Articles: 25th March 2026
Conference & Paper Presentation: 30th March 2026
SUBMISSION DETAILS
Word limit: 2000-3000 words
Citation style: Harvard Bluebook (22nd Edition)
Font: Times New Roman (12), 1.5 spacing
Footnotes: Times New Roman (10), single spacing
Submissions must be original and unpublished and will undergo blind peer review.
Papers must be submitted through the Google Form link provided in the brochure.
NO REGISTRATION FEES
We gladly invite you to participate in this conference. Kindly note that no TA/DA shall be given. Participants will be provided with a certificate of participation. The mode of participation shall be offline.
CONTACT INFORMATION
In case of any query, please contact:
Ms. Tanvi Gorakh | 8010426413
Mr. Om Burange | 7768825773