Extending the validity term of patents
Supplementary protection certificates extend the term of patents by a maximum of 5 years. Supplementary protection certificates can be granted for a product, meaning the active ingredient or combination of active ingredients of medicinal products or plant protection products, protected by a patent.

Medicinal products for pediatric use
For medicinal products for which the use in the pediatric population has been studied, the term of a supplementary protection certificate can be extended by 6 months.

Applying for a certificate
Supplementary protection certificates have to be applied for within 6 months after the date of granting the authorization to place the product on the market as a medicinal product or plant protection product.