Het gebruik van een zuigelingenvoeding om bij een zuigeling een postnatale groeitraject of lichaamsontwikkeling te bevorderen richting een groeitraject of lichaamsontwikkeling vergelijkbaar met die waargenomen bij zuigelingen die borstvoeding krijgen, kwalificeert niet als een behandelingsmethode door middel van therapie ex artikel 53(c) EPC.
OCTROOIRECHT
Like the boards in the aforementioned cases (G 1/07, T 586/16, T 182/16, T 1186/16, the board in this case considers that the use indicated in claim 1 is not therapeutic and that, for this reason, the claim cannot be considered a purpose-limited product claim falling under Article 54(5) EPC.
The idea underlying the claimed invention is to administer a nutritional composition for infants which is similar to human milk, in order to promote a postnatal growth trajectory or body development which is similar to that observed in infants fed with human milk.
The purpose of feeding an infant with an infant formula or follow-on formula instead of breastfeeding is the same as that of breastfeeding, namely to provide nourishment and to promote the normal growth of the infant. For all infants, receiving nourishment is a prerequisite for healthy development and for preventing disorders which could arise if an infant is malnourished or fed with a food which does not promote normal growth. Hence, feeding an infant with a formula promoting normal growth and body development is, as such, not therapeutic.
ECLI:EP:BA:2024:T081522.20240423
