Research and Development Utilization Policy Act. The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association is a non-profit national association representating 140 manufacturers of prescription and ethically promoted pharmaceuticals, drugs and medical devices. PMA member compaines regularly seek to develop new techologies arising out of federally funded research. We strongly believe that the incentives of the United States patent system must be reasonably available to private industry so that discoveries made with public money can be developed and commercialized. PMA supports a uniform system of government patent policy under which first rights to inventions resulting from federally supported research are made available to the private sector. Therefore, we endorse the basic approach stated in S. 1215. Further PMA supports the patent policy of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare under which institutions receiving federal grants may qualify to obtain principal rights to inventions resulting from such research. Qualifying institutions then have the opportunity to enter into license arrangements with private concerns for the development and commercialization of such inventions. S. 1215 would appropriately allow non-profit organizations to retain patent rights to inventions that have been made under federally funded research programs if these institutions have demonstrated the capability to develop and market these inventions.

We appreciate the opportunity to present our views on this important legislation and ask that our comments be included in the hearing record.

Sincerely,

BRUCE J. BRENNAN.