AIA Blog

USPTO to Host Roundtable on Genetic Diagnostic Testing

From Janet Gongola, Patent Reform Coordinator:

The USPTO is hosting a public roundtable in connection with the Genetic Testing Study on Thursday, January 10, 2013, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time in the Madison Auditorium at its Alexandria campus.  The public is invited to participate and share remarks.  The roundtable will be webcast; details for web access are forthcoming.

Section 27 of the AIA requires the USPTO to study and make recommendations regarding effective ways to provide independent, confirming genetic diagnostic test activity where gene patents and exclusive licensing for primary genetic diagnostic tests exist.  In completing this study, the agency reviewed the academic and scientific literature, held two public hearings, and received twenty-seven sets of written comments.  The agency determined that further discussion and analysis was needed before the agency could submit a report to Congress after reviewing the collected information, given the complexity and diversity of opinions, comments, and suggestions provided by interested parties and the important policy considerations involved.  Consequently, this roundtable is designed to enable the agency to obtain additional information and fulfill its report obligations to Congress.

Additional details about the genetic testing roundtable and requirements to share commentary are available here:

77 Fed. Reg. 71170, November 29, 2012

Posted at 11:03AM Nov 29, 2012 in Studies and Reports  |