Trouble at the USPTO—Part II: Bracing for Impact

Bonnie Nannenga-Combs, director in the Biotechnology & Chemical Practice Group and co-chair of the Patent Prosecution Practice recently spoke to World Intellectual Property Review about changes at the USPTO, including the recent USPTO fee increases that are impacting life sciences companies. She notes that most IP portfolios now need larger budgets, but for companies unable to accommodate these increases, “strategic cost saving and prioritization is essential to preserving the value of the portfolio.”

Nannenga-Combs also notes the importance of investing in a robust U.S. patent portfolio strategy that includes flexibility and backup options. “Identifying and communicating IP portfolio priorities both internally and to outside counsel can help to maximize value and avoid waste, especially in uncertain times,” she says.

This article also appeared in Life Sciences IP Review.