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PATENTS AND
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The Bedrock of American Invention

A strong intellectual property system has been the lifeblood of American  invention, and has made America the world leader of technological advancement for generations.  These inventions have included all parts of technology including healthcare and medicines. If America wants to stay ahead of China and other international competitors in the development and manufacturing of new technologies and new medicines, then Congress needs to promote and defend strong IP protections. 

In the biopharmaceutical sector, patents enable research and development, drive the next generation of innovation leaders, support competition and promote the next wave of medical treatments and therapies. 

Stated simply, progress in treating your basic ailments to defeating cancer, Alzheimer's, infectious, chronic, and rare diseases rely on solid IP rights and patent protections. These rights and protections support millions of American workers involved in biopharmaceutical inventions and the industry overall. Disrupting the balance of a strong IP system not only threatens American innovation and international competitiveness but also attacks the core of American citizen’s health and well-being nationwide – we cannot let this happen.

PATENTS FUEL MEDICAL INNOVATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH


The U.S. patent system directly incentivizes the development of new medicines. Equally important, it facilitates the creation of generic drugs once patents expire, enhancing competition and making treatments more affordable for patients.












Developing a single drug involves multiple research streams and formulations that often requires securing multiple for each aspect of the drugs creation. This layered protection supports continuous improvements, such as refining medications and discovering new applications for them. Without question, science is complex, and medication supply chains constant innovations are vital for maintaining the U.S.'s leadership in medical advancements and ensuring that the biopharmaceutical industry remains competitive globally.  Most critically this system ensures American citizens are the first line of those patients who have access to the worlds most innovative, and impactful cures.


PATENT COMPETITION BY THE NUMBERS


Patents ensure a competitive market where no single entity monopolizes the treatment of a condition, encouraging the development of brand-name drugs and their competitors.

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Patents last for

20

years,

giving time for necessary drug testing and approval.

Over

90%

of prescriptions in the U.S. are now for generic medications, a significant rise from 19% more than three decades ago.

In 2023 alone, the FDA approved

55

new drugs,

demonstrating a robust pipeline of innovative treatments.

The U.S. biopharmaceutical industry is responsible for over

50%

of the world's new drug discoveries.

RESOURCES TO LEARN MORE
 

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We Work For Health brings together national and local business leaders, labor, biopharma, patient advocacy, and other healthcare-related stakeholders to support policies and initiatives that foster innovation and facilitate the delivery of lifesaving and life-enhancing medicines. 

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