The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has announced a significant development in the realm of patent prosecution: the initiation of the “PPH Improvement Initiative” in collaboration with key patent offices from the United States, Europe, Japan, and South Korea. This initiative aims to elevate the user experience of the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) by setting ambitious targets for the average cycle time of the first office action and the average cycle time for replying to applicants’ responses, both now set at three months starting from 2024. Here’s a concise summary of the specific changes: Timeline Before After Average Cycle Time for First Notice Within Four Months Within Three Months…
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- Accelerated Patent Examination, Cancer Moonshot Expedited Examination, Expedited Examination, Patent Law, Pharma, Pilot Program, US, USPTO
Introducing the New USPTO Cancer Moonshot Expedited Examination Pilot Program
Starting from February 1, 2023, the USPTO will begin the new Cancer Moonshot Expedited Examination Pilot Program that advances out-of-turn applications that are directed to oncology or smoking cessation. This new program will replace the Cancer Immunotherapy Pilot Program that has been in place since 2016, and covers more technologies than only cancer immunotherapies. Applications accepted into the new program will be accorded special status in Examiner’s docket and enjoy expedited examination until the first Office action is issued (including restriction requirements). The new program is available for a non-reissue (original), nonprovisional utility application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a), or an international application that has entered the national stage under…
