Senate GOP Members Renew Call for Strong IP, Biologics Protections in TPP

A group of Republican senators renewed a call for 12-year biologics patent protection and strong overall intellectual property rights in the Trans-Pacific Partnership in a May 13 letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman. The development of life-saving biologics requires “substantial investment,” said the 11 senators, led by Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas. “Biologics are the future of medicine but are riskier endeavors with lower success rates than traditional treatment options," said the letter, noting that biologics can cure cancer, arthritis and other diseases. “Not offering adequate protections that will continue to spur innovation and investment will ultimately lead to companies taking fewer risks, and patients globally not receiving treatments that may have been developed under an appropriate standard.” Democratic TPP critics, like Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., argue 12-year data protection prevents generic product treatment globally (see 1502270018). Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, has also been a strong advocate for 12-year biologics protection (see 13120415).