https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.12696
Term associated with intellectual property wherein the latter’s patentability is assessed relative to the combination of more than one item of "prior art".
Note: To be patentable within the context of medicinal chemistry, a given compound must be: (i) novel, in that its specific arrangement of atoms has never been previously disclosed; (ii) non-obvious, in that its specific arrangement of atoms is not readily suggested to be of benefit by a person having ordinary skill in the art upon considering two or more other, previously disclosed structures; and, (iii) useful, in that it should have some benefit, the disclosure of the latter encompassing a valid "reduction to practice".
See also: patentability