University discoveries and intellectual property rights: from Bothrops jararaca bradykinin potentiating peptides to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.

The academic basic research which led to the discovery of bradykinin potentiating peptides, the drug prototype for the new class of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors for the treatment of hypertension, is described. This case study is used to illustrate the situation of the academic scientist and his intellectual property rights for discoveries made at the University.