TPP IP Negotiators Wrestle Over Scope Of 'Bolar' Exemption For Drugs

TAMUNING, Guam -- Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiators meeting here have thus far put off dealing with the most controversial aspects of intellectual property (IP) protections for pharmaceuticals, but have been discussing a technical issue affecting drug patents known as the "Bolar exemption." IP negotiators have been debating the scope of this exemption, which is essentially a safe harbor from patent infringement claims that permits generic pharmaceutical companies to conduct testing or clinical trials necessary to market a generic product, even...