JPO Provided IP Viet Nam Examiners with Face-to-Face Examination Practice Training Program in Cooperation with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

February 5, 2026

The Japan Patent Office (JPO), in cooperation with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), provided patent examiners of the Intellectual Property Office of Viet Nam (IP Viet Nam) with a training program on patent examination practices in the pharmaceutical field for a total of five days, from January 26 to 30, 2026.

From the JPO, an International Training Instructor of the Global Patent Academy (GPA) with extensive practical experience in patent examination served as an instructor, and a junior examiner supported the program as an assistant. From IP Viet Nam, 11 participants, including patent examiners, attended the training.

During the program, participants worked on case studies using actual cases in the pharmaceutical field. In response to requests from IP Viet Nam, the program also included lectures on chemical structure search methods for Markush claims, as well as lectures on approaches to determining novelty and inventive step for such claims. Participants commented, “The instructor prepared easy-to-understand materials and provided enthusiastic guidance. We gained valuable knowledge on chemical structure search methods and on how to determine novelty and inventive step for Markush claims.”

The JPO will continue to provide cooperation in patent examination practices to examiners in Viet Nam and other emerging countries where further business expansion of Japanese companies is expected, thereby supporting those countries in developing and strengthening their examination systems.
 

Group photo

Face-to-face training

References

• JPO/GPA Training

[Last updated 5 February 2026]