Astrazeneca replaces benched exec in china

_Want to stay on top of the science and politics driving biotech today? Sign up to get our biotech newsletter in your inbox._ Morning. Today, we see a federal agency change its tune on

patent thickets, likely because of the incoming administration. Also, a cool mouse study, and a new fund from Atlas Venture. U.S. PTO WITHDRAWS NEW PATENT THICKET PROPOSAL In May, the U.S.

Patent & Trademark Office had proposed a rule to crack down on patent thickets — but surprisingly, it has now withdrawn that proposal. The idea had been to curb attempts by biopharma

companies to use collections of patents to gain monopolies by preventing generic competitors from entering the marketplace. But the PTO’s proposal was immediately polarizing, and the

decision to already withdraw it was thanks to “resource constraints” at the agency — no other explanations offered. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in THIS ARTICLE IS

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