Brazil moves closer to Budapest Treaty accession

On June 11, 2025, the Brazilian Senate approved Brazil's accession to the Budapest Treaty, which allows for the international recognition of microorganism deposits in patent procedures. When a patent involves biological materials that are not publicly accessible, these materials can be deposited with institutions authorized by the Brazilian PTO or specified in international agreements, as stated in Article 24 of Brazilian IP Law. 

Currently, recognized International Depositary Authorities (IDAs) are only available in Mexico and Chile. The Brazilian Biological Material Center (CBMB) project, started in 2008, aims to establish an IDA in Brazil, and the Senate's approval paves the way for institutions like Fiocruz and Embrapa's Cenargen to qualify as IDAs. 

The establishment of a Brazilian IDA is expected to streamline the deposit process and boost local innovation ecosystems.