Patent office and FDA would form task force to share drug data
Placed on the calendarS. 1097Latest action
Sponsor: Richard J. Durbin · Senator · IL
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Interagency Patent Coordination and Improvement Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Jobs & the economy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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S 1097 creates a USPTO-FDA task force to share drug patent and approval data with confidentiality protections.
35-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
The bill creates a formal task force linking USPTO and FDA to share information on prescription drug and biological product patents, including drug approvals, label changes, and scientific developments. It requires confidentiality protections, including 30 days' notice to companies before certain information is shared, and requires USPTO to report to Congress within four years on the program's effectiveness.
Who does it affect?
Pharmaceutical and biotech companies filing both FDA and patent applications, patent examiners reviewing drug-related patents, and potentially consumers and generic drug makers affected by patent exclusivity timing.
Why does it matter?
More thorough cross-checking between agencies could change how patent applications are evaluated and how long brand-name drugs retain exclusive market rights before generics can enter.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedMar 24, 2025
- Senate committee
- Senate voteYou are here · Apr 10, 2025
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: it was placed on the , and the official record shows no floor action on it since. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 41.