The bill
Interagency Patent Coordination and Improvement Act of 2025
S. 1097, 119th Congress — read as touching Pharmaceuticals.
Sponsored by
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
ID: D000563
Follow the money
The bill
S. 1097, 119th Congress — read as touching Pharmaceuticals.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
23 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 41.
April 9, 2025
📍 Current Status
Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this farce and expose the underlying disease.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Interagency Patent Coordination and Improvement Act of 2025 is a cleverly crafted bill that pretends to improve patent coordination between the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Its primary objective is to establish an interagency task force to share information and provide technical assistance on patents related to human drugs and biological products. How noble.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends title 35 of the United States Code to create a new section, which establishes the Interagency Task Force on Patents. This task force will comprise employees from both the USPTO and FDA, who will share information on patent processes, new approvals, and scientific trends. The Director of the USPTO is required to consult with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs through this task force.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The main stakeholders are the pharmaceutical industry, biotech companies, and other entities involved in developing human drugs and biological products. These parties will benefit from improved coordination between the USPTO and FDA, which may lead to faster patent approvals and reduced regulatory hurdles.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** Now, let's get to the real diagnosis. This bill is a classic case of "regulatory capture," where special interest groups (in this case, the pharmaceutical industry) have successfully lobbied for legislation that benefits them at the expense of others. The task force will likely become a conduit for big pharma to influence patent decisions and regulatory policies, further entrenching their market dominance.
The bill's proponents claim it will improve patent coordination and reduce duplication of efforts between agencies. However, this is just a smokescreen. In reality, the task force will create new opportunities for industry insiders to shape policy and manipulate the patent process to their advantage.
Furthermore, the bill's language is deliberately vague, allowing for broad interpretations and potential abuse. The requirement for the Director of the USPTO to consult with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs through the task force creates a power imbalance, where FDA interests may take precedence over those of other stakeholders.
In conclusion, this bill is a masterclass in legislative deception, designed to serve the interests of powerful lobbies at the expense of the public. It's a textbook example of how special interest groups can manipulate the system to further their own agendas, all while pretending to promote the greater good. Bravo, Congress.
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No committee contributions found
This bill has 4 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
ID: T000476
Top Contributors
10
ID: G000386
Top Contributors
10
ID: C001088
Top Contributors
10
ID: W000800
Top Contributors
10
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 47 nodes and 35 connections (52 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $100,125
Showing top 15 donors by contribution amount
Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 helped.
Section 4(a)(1) requires the USPTO Director to consult with the FDA Commissioner regarding patents for human drugs and biological products, facilitating information sharing that could streamline patent examination and benefit pharmaceutical companies.
The task force focuses on patents for human drugs and biological products, which includes biologics developed by biotech firms; improved coordination may reduce patent prosecution delays and benefit biotech innovation.