Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) have introduced a bipartisan bill that would establish an interagency task force between the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the FDA to share information relating to patents.

The task force would, enhance information sharing on each agency’s processes, standards and methods; improve dialogue on new technologies and scientific trends; and enable confidential reciprocal access to information.

“Establishing clear avenues for collaboration between USPTO and FDA is essential for both agencies to operate smoothly and do their job effectively,” Durbin said. “By incentivizing coordination, we can empower patent examiners and in turn boost competition, including for prescription drugs,” he said.