BIO Commends PTO Director for Withdrawal of Harmful Rules.

WASHINGTON -- Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President and CEO Jim Greenwood issued the following statement today on the decision by David J. Kappos, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), to withdraw the agency's proposed rules restricting continuation and claims practice, which had been opposed by BIO and challenged in court by GlaxoSmithKline:

"BIO applauds the action by Under Secretary Kappos today to formally withdraw the controversial and harmful proposed rules that would have limited the ability of biotechnology applicants to secure full coverage of their inventions. This action is a positive sign that the new Administration wants to work in a constructive manner with the patent applicant community to address the serious challenges facing the PTO, and BIO stands ready to work with Under Secretary Kappos and others at the PTO to do so."

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

Upcoming BIO Events

BIO Investor Forum October 28-29, 2009 San Francisco, CA

Advanced Business Development Course October 30, 2009 Vienna, Austria

BIO Europe International Partnering Conference November 2-4, 2009 Vienna, Austria

Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy November 8-11, 2009 Honolulu, HI