Navigating the USPTO’s AI inventorship guidance in AI-driven drug discovery

In February 2024, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued a notice, Inventorship Guidance for AI-assisted Inventions ('Inventorship Guidance'), to clarify agency policy and the Office's interpretation of inventorship requirements for patents that describe inventions made with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI). From the perspective of an AI-driven drug discovery (AIDD)-focused business, the Inventorship Guidance offers potential benefits that include increased clarity in patent eligibility, facilitated collaboration between AI experts and drug discovery scientists, and incentivization for continued development of AI tools. However, there remain concerns with the application of the framework outlined in the Inventorship Guidance, such as the complex assessment of substantial human contributions in the real world, challenges in applying the Inventorship Guidance to collaborations and partnerships in the drug discovery field, and challenges in determining inventorship for AI tools versus specific drug innovations. To address these challenges, I propose recommendations for modifying the Inventorship Guidance for the AIDD industry, suggest best practices for inventorship documentation and processes, and advocate for continued partnership between the USPTO and the AIDD sector. By refining the existing framework and fostering ongoing dialog, I aim to promote a balanced approach that encourages AI-driven innovation while recognizing essential human contributions in drug discovery.