U.S. to Review School’s Patents on Stem Cells
The University of Wisconsin faces a U.S. review of patents it owns that require companies doing embryonic stem-cell research to pay fees, after a request by a California consumer group.
The patents will be reassessed because there’s “a substantial likelihood” that previous research by other scientists could supersede the Wisconsin claims, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office said in a statement on its website.
The Foundation for Taxpayers and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica challenged the patents in July.
Critics say the patents impose undue burdens, including fees of $100,000 or more, on U.S. companies working to develop stem-cell-based treatments.
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