This bill aims to prevent pharmaceutical companies from using multiple patents to extend the time they hold exclusive rights to sell drugs and biological products. The legislation amends patent law to presume that drug patents expire after the first patent on that drug expires, unless the patent holder can prove the additional patents cover genuinely different inventions. The bill affects pharmaceutical companies and patent holders seeking to protect their drug products, potentially lowering drug prices by allowing generic alternatives to reach the market sooner. It also directs the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to review its examination procedures for drug-related patents and submit recommendations within one year to identify better ways to prevent the improper issuance of multiple overlapping patents that unfairly delay generic drug competition.
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