in january 2016, biogen filed a second patent application with wipo that specifically described and protected biib003 (opicinumab). by filing with wipo, the overseeing organization for the patent cooperation treaty (pct), biogen gains an extra year of intellectual property (ip) exclusivity after submitting its international patent application with wipo to apply for patents in all desired member states of the pct. therefore, biogen has until january 2017 to file patent applications for opicinumab in multiple countries of its choosing, after which its ip will no longer be protected by the pct.