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BIO Statement of Support for the Introduction of the STRONG Patents Act of 2015

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BIO supports the STRONG Patents Act of 2015 and will continue to advocate for passage of legislation to curb abusive patent practices.</p>

Washington, D.C. (March 3, 2015) – The following statement on the introduction of the STRONG Patents Act of 2015 by Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) may be attributed to BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood:

“BIO supports balanced reforms to reduce abusive patent practices, while maintaining the strong incentives necessary to sustain our nation’s global leadership in biotechnology innovation and the creation of high-wage, high-value jobs throughout our country. The STRONG Patents Act of 2015 achieves this critical balance.

“I commend Senators Coons, Durbin and Hirono for their leadership in introducing legislation that cracks down on false or deceptive patent demand letters, re-balances post-grant proceedings to ensure fairness for both patent owners and challengers, eliminates diversion of PTO user fees and protects the rights of American entrepreneurial businesses.

“Strong patents are the lifeblood of the biotechnology industry. They are critical in ensuring a steady stream of capital to biotechnology companies developing innovative medicines, alternative energy sources and insect- and drought-resistant crops. And they are essential to the technology transfer process that leads from inventions in the lab to products on the shelves.

“The majority of biotechnology companies are small companies that have no products on the market, and thus their research and development activities are funded through massive amounts of private sector investment over many years, sometimes even decades. Without strong, predictable and enforceable protections for patented inventions, investors will shy away from investing in biotech innovation, degrading the ability to provide solutions to the most pressing medical, agricultural, industrial and environmental challenges facing our nation and the world.

“BIO supports the STRONG Patents Act of 2015 and will continue to advocate for passage of legislation to curb abusive patent practices, while not undermining the ability of patent owners to defend their inventions and businesses against infringement.”

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