CHAIR
:
SPEAKER
(S):
Philip Johnson, Esq, Chief Patent Counsel, Johnson & Johnson
Thomas Fitting, PhD, Esq, Chief Patent Counsel, The Scripps Research Institute
Hans Sauer, PhD, Esq, Associate General Counsel for Intellectual Property, Biotechnology Industry Organization
John Whealan, Esq, Deputy General Counsel and Solicitor, United States Patent and Trademark Office
Description
Past panels on patent legislation affecting the biotechnology industry have included Chairman Smith and Rep. Lofgren of the House IP Subcommittee. For 2007, Rep. Feeney has been invited to join us to discuss the status of sweeping patent-reform legislation before Congress and how the change in House and Senate leadership could affect patent-reform initiatives.
Objectives:
Educate the audience on key patent-reform bills and legislative initiatives that affect the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
Give session participants an opportunity to hear directly from some of the elected officials or their staff most intimately acquainted with patent legislation.
Spur BIO members to get involved by contacting their own representatives to educate lawmakers on these issues.