Project Purpose
The aim of the project was to create a professional space for discussing the challenges arising at the intersection of science, medicine, law and ethics, as well as to reflect on their impact on the development of the healthcare system.
The project sought to raise legal awareness of ethical and technological issues of today, foster interdisciplinary dialogue among legal, scientific and expert communities, and promote understanding of the need for proper legal regulation of processes related to the development of biomedicine and pharmaceuticals.
Key Discussion Topics
Within the interview series, the following topics were addressed:
- human genome editing: in the focus of law and ethics;
- clinical protocols and intellectual property;
- access to medicines and issues of globalisation;
- intellectual property in the pharmaceutical sector of the EU;
- mediation in healthcare.
Target Audience
The project was designed for:
- researchers and scientists developing innovations in biomedicine, pharmaceuticals or technology;
- healthcare professionals and bioethicists seeking a deeper understanding of the legal aspects of their work;
- lawyers and patent attorneys working with intellectual property in the medical field;
- innovators and entrepreneurs creating health-related technologies;
- students and educators studying law, biology, medicine, technology or ethics;
- anyone interested in how science and technology affect people, society and human rights.
Behind the Scenes of the Series
During 2025, four online interviews were held, each highlighting a specific dimension of the interaction between law, medicine and ethics.
The series was moderated by:
- Oksana Kashyntseva, PhD in Law, Associate Professor, Head of Department at the Centre for IP Law Development of UANIPIO, National Consultant for UNDP Ukraine, Consultant to the WHO Country Office in Ukraine, National Consultant to the Council of Europe, and Member of the European Association of Health Law.
1. Human Genome Editing: Legal and Ethical Perspectives
15 October 2025 marked the first online interview in the IP Academy project «Law, Medicine, Ethics: Points of Intersection», dedicated to the topic «Human Genome Editing: In the Focus of Law and Ethics».
The invited guest was Olha Omelchenko, PhD in Law, Acting Head of the Research Department on Intellectual Property Rights and Human Rights in Healthcare at the Research Institute of Intellectual Property of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, Senior Lecturer at Polissia National University.
The discussion focused on legal, ethical and biotechnological challenges associated with human genome editing, as well as the impact of these developments on science, medicine and society.
More about the event HERE.
2. Access to Medicines and Globalisation Issues
On 29 October 2025, the second interview took place on the topic «Access to Medicines and Globalisation».
The invited speaker was Sergii Kondratiuk, Acting Senior Research Fellow at the Department for Intellectual Property and Human Rights in Healthcare at the Research Institute of IP, Senior Project Manager at the Make Medicine Affordable campaign, ITPC.
Participants discussed the key challenges related to access to medicines in a global context, as well as the role of intellectual property in shaping modern health policy.
More about the event HERE.
3. Intellectual Property in the Pharmaceutical Sector in the EU
On 14 November 2025, the next online interview took place on the topic «Intellectual Property in the Pharmaceutical Sector of the EU».
The invited speaker was Anastasiia Homeniuk, Research Fellow at the Department for Intellectual Property Rights and Human Rights in Healthcare at the Research Institute of Intellectual Property of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, Intellectual Property and Access-to-Medicines Consultant at the NGO «100 Percent Life».
The discussion addressed the evolution of pharmaceutical and IP legislation in the EU, the main tools and mechanisms for IP protection in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as key directions of legislative reform — including the provisions of the new «pharmaceutical package».
Special attention was paid to balancing IP protection, supporting generic manufacturing and ensuring access to medicines.
More about the event HERE.
4. Mediation in Medicine: How to Negotiate When Emotions Are Running High?
On 12 December 2025, the final interview of the year was held on the topic «Mediation in Healthcare: How to Negotiate When Emotions Are Running High?».
The invited expert was Maryna Saienko, practising business mediator (certified by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria), lawyer, trainer and mediator at the Ukrainian Mediation Centre (KMBS), Chair of the Board of the NGO «Pravosvidomi», Managing Partner at «Zakon Peremohy» (Law of Victory) Law Firm.
Participants discussed typical conflicts between patients and medical institutions, how parties turn to mediators, the specifics of the procedure and its advantages as an alternative method for resolving medical disputes.
More about the event HERE.
This interview became the final one in 2025. Updates on future events within the project «Law, Medicine, Ethics: Points of Intersection» will be announced next year.
Video Recordings
Recordings of all interviews in the series will soon be available on the YouTube channel of the IP Office. Stay tuned to watch the discussions at your convenience.