This article outlines the current IP landscape for Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) and provides details on: patent applications (including the criteria for registration and the types of discoveries or processes that are not patentable); data exclusivity; trade secrets/confidential information; Sharia law considerations and government initiatives.

This article is part of the Practical Law multi-jurisdictional guide to life sciences. For a full list of jurisdictional Q&As visit www.practicallaw.com/lifesciences-mjg.