China's patent reform waiting game

For the second consecutive meeting, the Standing Committee of China's National People’s Congress (NPC) adjourned April 23 without considering a revised draft of patent reforms that would extend protections for innovative drugs. While at least minor changes are expected before the country’s first IP overhaul in over a decade becomes law, the addition of patent linkage -- a priority of Western biopharmas -- may not be among them.

The committee discussed an initial set of reforms in December. The revised draft was published in January, and public comments were due Feb. 3. The committee did not deliberate them at a session closed Feb. 27...