Senators Re-Introduce Bill to Create USPTO-FDA Task Force

A bipartisan group of senators has re-introduced proposed legislation to establish a task force between the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the FDA to improve coordination in implementing each agency’s work related to patents. 

Currently, there is limited collaboration between USPTO and FDA, despite both agencies playing a role related to patents and competition, the senators said.  

The proposed task force “will encourage enhanced collaboration between the agencies, in turn helping taxpayers by increasing competition and trimming bureaucratic red tape,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

“By incentivizing coordination, we can empower patent examiners and in turn boost competition, including for prescription drugs,” said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

Also behind the bill are Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.).

The proposed task force would, said the senators, 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 if requested and only as needed.