Bill > S79

This bill aims to establish an interagency task force between the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve coordination and information sharing regarding patents, particularly for human drugs and biological products. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Requiring the USPTO Director to consult with the FDA Commissioner on decisions or actions involving patents for human drugs and biological products through the newly established Interagency Task Force on Patents. 2. Directing the USPTO and FDA to enter into a memorandum of understanding to implement the task force's duties, which include sharing information on agency processes, new approvals, technologies, and scientific developments. 3. Establishing a process for the USPTO to request and receive from the FDA appropriate information and access to relevant data, such as when certain product information is made publicly available, to assist patent examiners in their work. 4. Requiring the task force to develop protocols to safeguard the confidentiality of shared information and prevent inappropriate disclosure. The bill also mandates the USPTO to submit a report to Congress within 4 years, providing an assessment of the frequency and usefulness of the information shared through the task force, as well as any recommendations for changes to its mandate, funding, or operations.