DRUG INDUSTRY RAISES CONCERNS OVER POTENTIAL CHANGES TO PATENT SYSTEM

Pharmaceutical industry groups have had a "less than enthusiastic response" to a bill (S 3818) sponsored by Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) that would revise the U.S. patent system, CongressDaily reports. The legislation would award patents to the first individuals who file for them, rather than first individuals who invent products, and would limit defenses in patent lawsuits filed over willful infringement or "inequitable conduct."

Medical News Today (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=50062&nfid=rssfeeds)