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Policy Spotlight

Patents - The Backbone of Biotech

The life sciences industry depends upon a strong, reliable patent system to attract investment that will fund the next generation of treatments, therapies and technologies. A life sciences company’s intellectual property portfolio is usually their most valuable asset (and in young entrepreneurial firms often their only asset) as they navigate the arduous road from discovery through the rigorous FDA approval process. Unfortunately, recent developments in Washington threaten to erode patent protections and cause a chilling effect on biomedical investment and innovation.

Several recent developments related to patent law could have serious implications to the biomedical industry in California and nationwide. These include: (1) recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that weaken patents; (2) patent reform legislation being considered by Congress; and (3) the hostile approach taken by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) toward making and promulgating new patent rules. This radical shift in U.S. public policy will make patents harder to obtain, easier to invalidate, and cheaper to infringe.

CHI is active in the debate on improving the U.S. patent system, educating policymakers on the potentially devastating effects that certain reforms would have on patent value and future biomedical innovation and progress.

View Biomedical Community Letter to Senator Boxer and Senator Feinstein (02-25-08)

View Cross Coalition Letter to Senate Leadership (10-23-2007)

View CA Coalition Letter to Senator Boxer and Senator Feinstein (09-28-2007)

View CHI Letter to Senator Boxer and Senator Feinstein (09-18-2007)

View CHI Letter to Speaker Pelosi (08-01-2007)

View CHI Letter to Senator Feinstein (07-02-2007)

View Coalition Letter to Judiciary Committee Leadership on Patent Reform (06-19-2007)

View Letter to House Judiciary Committee from Chief Judge Paul Michel, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (06-07-2007)

View CHI White Paper on Patent Law Changes (05-31-2007)

View Letter to Chairman Berman from John Sullivan, General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Commerce (05-16-2007)

View Coalition Letter to House and Senate Leadership on Patent Reform (05-15-2007)

View Letter to Senators Leahy and Hatch from Chief Judge Paul Michel, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (05-03-2007)

View CHI Statement Before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property Hearing (04-26-2007)