---
kind: "section"
citation: "35 U.S.C. § 156"
title: "35"
title_heading: "Patents"
number: "156"
heading: "Extension of patent term"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/35/156"
units:
  - "Part II — Patentability of Inventions and Grant of Patents"
  - "Chapter 14 — Issue of Patent"
---

# §156. Extension of patent term

- (a) The term of a [patent](#f-6) which claims a [product](#f-1), a method of using a [product](#f-1), or a method of manufacturing a [product](#f-1) shall be extended in accordance with this section from the original expiration date of the [patent](#f-6), which shall include any [patent](#f-6) term adjustment granted under [section 154(b)](/usc/35/154.md?p=b), if—
  - (1) the term of the [patent](#f-6) has not expired before an application is submitted under [subsection (d)(1)](#d-1) for its extension;
  - (2) the term of the [patent](#f-6) has never been extended under [subsection (e)(1)](#e-1) of this section;
  - (3) an application for extension is submitted by the owner of record of the [patent](#f-6) or its agent and in accordance with the requirements of [paragraphs (1) through (4)](#d-1..d-4) of subsection (d);
  - (4) the [product](#f-1) has been subject to a [regulatory review period](#g) before its commercial marketing or use;
  - (5)
    - (A) except as provided in subparagraph [(B)](#a-5-B) or [(C)](#a-5-C), the permission for the commercial marketing or use of the [product](#f-1) after such [regulatory review period](#g) is the first permitted commercial marketing or use of the [product](#f-1) under the provision of law under which such [regulatory review period](#g) occurred;
    - (B) in the case of a [patent](#f-6) which claims a method of manufacturing the [product](#f-1) which primarily uses recombinant DNA technology in the manufacture of the [product](#f-1), the permission for the commercial marketing or use of the [product](#f-1) after such [regulatory review period](#g) is the first permitted commercial marketing or use of a [product](#f-1) manufactured under the [process](/usc/35/100.md?p=b) claimed in the [patent](#f-6); or
    - (C) for purposes of [subparagraph (A)](#a-5-A), in the case of a [patent](#f-6) which—
      - (i) claims a new animal drug or a veterinary biological [product](#f-1) which (I) is not covered by the claims in any other [patent](#f-6) which has been extended, and (II) has received permission for the commercial marketing or use in non-food-producing animals and in food-producing animals, and
      - (ii) was not extended on the basis of the [regulatory review period](#g) for use in non-food-producing animals,

      the permission for the commercial marketing or use of the drug or [product](#f-1) after the [regulatory review period](#g) for use in food-producing animals is the first permitted commercial marketing or use of the drug or [product](#f-1) for administration to a food-producing animal.

  The [product](#f-1) referred to in paragraphs [(4)](#a-4) and [(5)](#a-5) is hereinafter in this section referred to as the “approved [product](#f-1)”.

- (b) Except as provided in [subsection (d)(5)(F)](#d-5-F), the rights derived from any [patent](#f-6) the term of which is extended under this section shall during the period during which the term of the [patent](#f-6) is extended—
  - (1) in the case of a [patent](#f-6) which claims a [product](#f-1), be limited to any use approved for the [product](#f-1)—
    - (A) before the expiration of the term of the [patent](#f-6)—
      - (i) under the provision of law under which the applicable regulatory review occurred, or
      - (ii) under the provision of law under which any regulatory review described in paragraph [(1)](#g-1), [(4)](#g-4), or [(5)](#g-5) of subsection (g) occurred, and
    - (B) on or after the expiration of the [regulatory review period](#g) upon which the extension of the [patent](#f-6) was based;
  - (2) in the case of a [patent](#f-6) which claims a method of using a [product](#f-1), be limited to any use claimed by the [patent](#f-6) and approved for the [product](#f-1)—
    - (A) before the expiration of the term of the [patent](#f-6)—
      - (i) under any provision of law under which an applicable regulatory review occurred, and
      - (ii) under the provision of law under which any regulatory review described in paragraph [(1)](#g-1), [(4)](#g-4), or [(5)](#g-5) of subsection (g) occurred, and
    - (B) on or after the expiration of the [regulatory review period](#g) upon which the extension of the [patent](#f-6) was based; and
  - (3) in the case of a [patent](#f-6) which claims a method of manufacturing a [product](#f-1), be limited to the method of manufacturing as used to make—
    - (A) the approved [product](#f-1), or
    - (B) the [product](#f-1) if it has been subject to a [regulatory review period](#g) described in paragraph [(1)](#g-1), [(4)](#g-4), or [(5)](#g-5) of subsection (g).

  As used in this subsection, the term “[product](#f-1)” includes an approved [product](#f-1).

- (c) The term of a [patent](#f-6) eligible for extension under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be extended by the time equal to the [regulatory review period](#g) for the approved [product](#f-1) which period occurs after the date the [patent](#f-6) is issued, except that—
  - (1) each period of the [regulatory review period](#g) shall be reduced by any period determined under [subsection (d)(2)(B)](#d-2-B) during which the applicant for the [patent](#f-6) extension did not act with [due diligence](#d-3) during such period of the [regulatory review period](#g);
  - (2) after any reduction required by [paragraph (1)](#c-1), the period of extension shall include only one-half of the time remaining in the periods described in paragraphs [(1)(B)(i)](#g-1-B-i), [(2)(B)(i)](#g-2-B-i), [(3)(B)(i)](#g-3-B-i), [(4)(B)(i)](#g-4-B-i), and [(5)(B)(i)](#g-5-B-i) of subsection (g);
  - (3) if the period remaining in the term of a [patent](#f-6) after the date of the approval of the approved [product](#f-1) under the provision of law under which such regulatory review occurred when added to the [regulatory review period](#g) as revised under paragraphs [(1)](#c-1) and [(2)](#c-2) exceeds fourteen years, the period of extension shall be reduced so that the total of both such periods does not exceed fourteen years; and
  - (4) in no event shall more than one [patent](#f-6) be extended under [subsection (e)(1)](#e-1) for the same [regulatory review period](#g) for any [product](#f-1).
- (d)
  - (1) To obtain an extension of the term of a [patent](#f-6) under this section, the owner of record of the [patent](#f-6) or its agent shall submit an application to the Director. Except as provided in [paragraph (5)](#d-5), such an application may only be submitted within the sixty-day period beginning on the date the [product](#b) received permission under the provision of law under which the applicable [regulatory review period](#g) occurred for commercial marketing or use, or in the case of a [drug product](#f-2) described in [subsection (i)](#i), within the sixty-day period beginning on the covered date (as defined in [subsection (i)](#i)). The application shall contain—
    - (A) the identity of the approved [product](#b) and the Federal statute under which regulatory review occurred;
    - (B) the identity of the [patent](#f-6) for which an extension is being sought and the identity of each claim of such [patent](#f-6) which claims the approved [product](#b) or a method of using or manufacturing the approved [product](#b);
    - (C) information to enable the Director to determine under subsections [(a)](#a) and [(b)](#b) the eligibility of a [patent](#f-6) for extension and the rights that will be derived from the extension and information to enable the Director and the Secretary of Health and Human Services or the Secretary of Agriculture to determine the period of the extension under [subsection (g)](#g);
    - (D) a brief description of the activities undertaken by the applicant during the applicable [regulatory review period](#g) with respect to the approved [product](#b) and the significant dates applicable to such activities; and
    - (E) such [patent](#f-6) or other information as the Director may require.

    For purposes of determining the date on which a [product](#b) receives permission under the second sentence of this paragraph, if such permission is transmitted after 4:30 P.M., Eastern Time, on a business day, or is transmitted on a day that is not a business day, the [product](#b) shall be deemed to receive such permission on the next business day. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “business day” means any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, excluding any legal holiday under [section 6103 of title 5](/usc/5/6103.md).

  - (2)
    - (A) Within 60 days of the submittal of an application for extension of the term of a [patent](#f-6) under [paragraph (1)](#d-1), the Director shall notify—
      - (i) the Secretary of Agriculture if the [patent](#f-6) claims a [drug product](#f-2) or a method of using or manufacturing a [drug product](#f-2) and the [drug product](#f-2) is subject to the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act, and
      - (ii) the Secretary of Health and Human Services if the [patent](#f-6) claims any other [drug product](#f-2), a medical device, or a food additive or color additive or a method of using or manufacturing such a [product](#b), device, or additive and if the [product](#b), device, and additive are subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act,

      of the extension application and shall submit to the Secretary who is so notified a copy of the application. Not later than 30 days after the receipt of an application from the Director, the Secretary receiving the application shall review the dates contained in the application pursuant to [paragraph (1)(C)](#d-1-C) and determine the applicable [regulatory review period](#g), shall notify the Director of the determination, and shall publish in the Federal Register a notice of such determination.

    - (B)
      - (i) If a petition is submitted to the Secretary making the determination under [subparagraph (A)](#d-2-A), not later than 180 days after the publication of the determination under [subparagraph (A)](#d-2-A), upon which it may reasonably be determined that the applicant did not act with [due diligence](#d-3) during the applicable [regulatory review period](#g), the Secretary making the determination shall, in accordance with [regulations](/usc/35/351.md?p=b) promulgated by such Secretary, determine if the applicant acted with [due diligence](#d-3) during the applicable [regulatory review period](#g). The Secretary making the determination shall make such determination not later than 90 days after the receipt of such a petition. For a [drug product](#f-2), device, or additive subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or the Public Health Service Act, the Secretary may not delegate the authority to make the determination prescribed by this clause to an office below the Office of the Director[^1] of Food and Drugs. For a [product](#b) subject to the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act, the Secretary of Agriculture may not delegate the authority to make the determination prescribed by this clause to an office below the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Inspection Services.
      - (ii) The Secretary making a determination under [clause (i)](#d-2-B-i) shall notify the Director of the determination and shall publish in the Federal Register a notice of such determination together with the factual and legal basis for such determination. Any interested person may request, within the 60-day period beginning on the publication of a determination, the Secretary making the determination to hold an [informal hearing](#f-5) on the determination. If such a request is made within such period, such Secretary shall hold such hearing not later than 30 days after the date of the request, or at the request of the person making the request, not later than 60 days after such date. The Secretary who is holding the hearing shall provide notice of the hearing to the owner of the [patent](#f-6) involved and to any interested person and provide the owner and any interested person an opportunity to participate in the hearing. Within 30 days after the completion of the hearing, such Secretary shall affirm or revise the determination which was the subject of the hearing and shall notify the Director of any revision of the determination and shall publish any such revision in the Federal Register.
  - (3) For the purposes of [paragraph (2)(B)](#d-2-B), the term “due diligence” means that degree of attention, continuous directed effort, and timeliness as may reasonably be expected from, and are ordinarily exercised by, a person during a [regulatory review period](#g).
  - (4) An application for the extension of the term of a [patent](#f-6) is subject to the disclosure requirements prescribed by the Director.
  - (5)
    - (A) If the owner of record of the [patent](#f-6) or its agent reasonably expects that the applicable [regulatory review period](#g) described in paragraph [(1)(B)(ii)](#g-1-B-ii), [(2)(B)(ii)](#g-2-B-ii), [(3)(B)(ii)](#g-3-B-ii), [(4)(B)(ii)](#g-4-B-ii), or [(5)(B)(ii)](#g-5-B-ii) of subsection (g) that began for a [product](#b) that is the subject of such [patent](#f-6) may extend beyond the expiration of the [patent](#f-6) term in effect, the owner or its agent may submit an application to the Director for an interim extension during the period beginning 6 months, and ending 15 days, before such term is due to expire. The application shall contain—
      - (i) the identity of the [product](#b) subject to regulatory review and the Federal statute under which such review is occurring;
      - (ii) the identity of the [patent](#f-6) for which interim extension is being sought and the identity of each claim of such [patent](#f-6) which claims the [product](#b) under regulatory review or a method of using or manufacturing the [product](#b);
      - (iii) information to enable the Director to determine under subsection [(a)(1)](#a-1), [(2)](#a-2), and [(3)](#a-3) the eligibility of a [patent](#f-6) for extension;
      - (iv) a brief description of the activities undertaken by the applicant during the applicable [regulatory review period](#g) to date with respect to the [product](#b) under review and the significant dates applicable to such activities; and
      - (v) such [patent](#f-6) or other information as the Director may require.
    - (B) If the Director determines that, except for permission to market or use the [product](#b) commercially, the [patent](#f-6) would be eligible for an extension of the [patent](#f-6) term under this section, the Director shall publish in the Federal Register a notice of such determination, including the identity of the [product](#b) under regulatory review, and shall issue to the applicant a certificate of interim extension for a period of not more than 1 year.
    - (C) The owner of record of a [patent](#f-6), or its agent, for which an interim extension has been granted under [subparagraph (B)](#d-5-B), may apply for not more than 4 subsequent interim extensions under this paragraph, except that, in the case of a [patent](#f-6) subject to [subsection (g)(6)(C)](#g-6-C), the owner of record of the [patent](#f-6), or its agent, may apply for only 1 subsequent interim extension under this paragraph. Each such subsequent application shall be made during the period beginning 60 days before, and ending 30 days before, the expiration of the preceding interim extension.
    - (D) Each certificate of interim extension under this paragraph shall be recorded in the official file of the [patent](#f-6) and shall be considered part of the original [patent](#f-6).
    - (E) Any interim extension granted under this paragraph shall terminate at the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date on which the [product](#b) involved receives permission for commercial marketing or use, except that, if within that 60-day period the applicant notifies the Director of such permission and submits any additional information under paragraph (1) of this subsection not previously contained in the application for interim extension, the [patent](#f-6) shall be further extended, in accordance with the provisions of this section—
      - (i) for not to exceed 5 years from the date of expiration of the original [patent](#f-6) term; or
      - (ii) if the [patent](#f-6) is subject to [subsection (g)(6)(C)](#g-6-C), from the date on which the [product](#b) involved receives approval for commercial marketing or use.
    - (F) The rights derived from any [patent](#f-6) the term of which is extended under this paragraph shall, during the period of interim extension—
      - (i) in the case of a [patent](#f-6) which claims a [product](#b), be limited to any use then under regulatory review;
      - (ii) in the case of a [patent](#f-6) which claims a method of using a [product](#b), be limited to any use claimed by the [patent](#f-6) then under regulatory review; and
      - (iii) in the case of a [patent](#f-6) which claims a method of manufacturing a [product](#b), be limited to the method of manufacturing as used to make the [product](#b) then under regulatory review.
- (e)
  - (1) A determination that a [patent](#f-6) is eligible for extension may be made by the Director solely on the basis of the representations contained in the application for the extension. If the Director determines that a [patent](#f-6) is eligible for extension under [subsection (a)](#a) and that the requirements of [paragraphs (1) through (4)](#d-1..d-4) of subsection (d) have been complied with, the Director shall issue to the applicant for the extension of the term of the [patent](#f-6) a certificate of extension, under seal, for the period prescribed by [subsection (c)](#c). Such certificate shall be recorded in the official file of the [patent](#f-6) and shall be considered as part of the original [patent](#f-6).
  - (2) If the term of a [patent](#f-6) for which an application has been submitted under [subsection (d)(1)](#d-1) would expire before a certificate of extension is issued or denied under [paragraph (1)](#e-1) respecting the application, the Director shall extend, until such determination is made, the term of the [patent](#f-6) for periods of up to one year if he determines that the [patent](#f-6) is eligible for extension.
- (f) For purposes of this section:
  - (1) The term “product” means:
    - (A) A [drug product](#f-2).
    - (B) Any medical device, food additive, or color additive subject to regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
  - (2) The term “drug product” means the active ingredient of—
    - (A) a new drug, antibiotic drug, or human biological [product](#f-1) (as those terms are used in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Public Health Service Act), or
    - (B) a new animal drug or veterinary biological [product](#f-1) (as those terms are used in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act) which is not primarily manufactured using recombinant DNA, recombinant RNA, hybridoma technology, or other [processes](/usc/35/100.md?p=b) involving site specific genetic manipulation techniques,

    including any salt or ester of the active ingredient, as a single entity or in combination with another active ingredient.

  - (3) The term “major health or environmental effects test” means a test which is reasonably related to the evaluation of the health or environmental effects of a [product](#f-1), which requires at least six months to conduct, and the data from which is submitted to receive permission for commercial marketing or use. Periods of analysis or evaluation of test results are not to be included in determining if the conduct of a test required at least six months.
  - (4)
    - (A) Any reference to [section 351](/usc/35/351.md) is a reference to section 351 of the Public Health Service Act.
    - (B) Any reference to section 503, 505, 512, or 515 is a reference to section 503, 505, 512, or 515 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
    - (C) Any reference to the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act is a reference to the Act of March 4, 1913 ([21 U.S.C. 151–158](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(/us/usc/t21/s151–158))).
  - (5) The term “informal hearing” has the meaning prescribed for such term by [section 201(y)](/usc/35/201.md)[^2] of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
  - (6) The term “patent” means a patent issued by the [United States](/usc/35/100.md?p=c) Patent and Trademark Office.
  - (7) The term “date of enactment” as used in this section means September 24, 1984, for a human [drug product](#f-2), a medical device, food additive, or color additive.
  - (8) The term “[date of enactment](#f-7)” as used in this section means the [date of enactment](#f-7) of the Generic Animal Drug and [Patent](#f-6) Term Restoration Act for an animal drug or a veterinary biological [product](#f-1).
- (g) For purposes of this section, the term “regulatory review period” has the following meanings:
  - (1)
    - (A) In the case of a [product](#f-1) which is a new drug, antibiotic drug, or human biological [product](#f-1), the term means the period described in [subparagraph (B)](#g-1-B) to which the limitation described in [paragraph (6)](#g-6) applies.
    - (B) The [regulatory review period](#g) for a new drug, antibiotic drug, or human biological [product](#f-1) is the sum of—
      - (i) the period beginning on the date an exemption under subsection (i) of section 505 or subsection (d) of section 507[^2] became effective for the approved [product](#f-1) and ending on the date an application was initially submitted for such [drug product](#f-2) under section 351, 505, or 507,[^2] and
      - (ii) the period beginning on the date the application was initially submitted for the approved [product](#f-1) under [section 351](/usc/35/351.md), subsection (b) of section 505, or section 507[^2] and ending on the date such application was approved under such section.
  - (2)
    - (A) In the case of a [product](#f-1) which is a food additive or color additive, the term means the period described in [subparagraph (B)](#g-2-B) to which the limitation described in [paragraph (6)](#g-6) applies.
    - (B) The [regulatory review period](#g) for a food or color additive is the sum of—
      - (i) the period beginning on the date a [major health or environmental effects test](#f-3) on the additive was initiated and ending on the date a petition was initially submitted with respect to the [product](#f-1) under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requesting the issuance of a regulation for use of the [product](#f-1), and
      - (ii) the period beginning on the date a petition was initially submitted with respect to the [product](#f-1) under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requesting the issuance of a regulation for use of the [product](#f-1), and ending on the date such regulation became effective or, if objections were filed to such regulation, ending on the date such objections were resolved and commercial marketing was permitted or, if commercial marketing was permitted and later revoked pending further proceedings as a result of such objections, ending on the date such proceedings were finally resolved and commercial marketing was permitted.
  - (3)
    - (A) In the case of a [product](#f-1) which is a medical device, the term means the period described in [subparagraph (B)](#g-3-B) to which the limitation described in [paragraph (6)](#g-6) applies.
    - (B) The [regulatory review period](#g) for a medical device is the sum of—
      - (i) the period beginning on the date a clinical investigation on humans involving the device was begun and ending on the date an application was initially submitted with respect to the device under section 515, and
      - (ii) the period beginning on the date an application was initially submitted with respect to the device under section 515 and ending on the date such application was approved under such Act or the period beginning on the date a notice of completion of a [product](#f-1) development protocol was initially submitted under section 515(f)(5) and ending on the date the protocol was declared completed under section 515(f)(6).
  - (4)
    - (A) In the case of a [product](#f-1) which is a new animal drug, the term means the period described in [subparagraph (B)](#g-4-B) to which the limitation described in [paragraph (6)](#g-6) applies.
    - (B) The [regulatory review period](#g) for a new animal [drug product](#f-2) is the sum of—
      - (i) the period beginning on the earlier of the date a [major health or environmental effects test](#f-3) on the drug was initiated or the date an exemption under subsection (j) of section 512 became effective for the approved new animal [drug product](#f-2) and ending on the date an application was initially submitted for such animal [drug product](#f-2) under section 512, and
      - (ii) the period beginning on the date the application was initially submitted for the approved animal [drug product](#f-2) under subsection (b) of section 512 and ending on the date such application was approved under such section.
  - (5)
    - (A) In the case of a [product](#f-1) which is a veterinary biological [product](#f-1), the term means the period described in [subparagraph (B)](#g-5-B) to which the limitation described in [paragraph (6)](#g-6) applies.
    - (B) The regulatory period for a veterinary biological [product](#f-1) is the sum of—
      - (i) the period beginning on the date the authority to prepare an experimental biological [product](#f-1) under the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act became effective and ending on the date an application for a license was submitted under the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act, and
      - (ii) the period beginning on the date an application for a license was initially submitted for approval under the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act and ending on the date such license was issued.
  - (6) A period determined under any of the preceding paragraphs is subject to the following limitations:
    - (A) If the [patent](#f-6) involved was issued after the date of the enactment of this section, the period of extension determined on the basis of the [regulatory review period](#g) determined under any such paragraph may not exceed five years.
    - (B) If the [patent](#f-6) involved was issued before the date of the enactment of this section and—
      - (i) no request for an exemption described in paragraph [(1)(B)](#g-1-B) or [(4)(B)](#g-4-B) was submitted and no request for the authority described in [paragraph (5)(B)](#g-5-B) was submitted,
      - (ii) no [major health or environmental effects test](#f-3) described in paragraph [(2)(B)](#g-2-B) or [(4)(B)](#g-4-B) was initiated and no petition for a regulation or application for registration described in such paragraph was submitted, or
      - (iii) no clinical investigation described in [paragraph (3)](#g-3) was begun or [product](#f-1) development protocol described in such paragraph was submitted,

      before such date for the approved [product](#f-1) the period of extension determined on the basis of the [regulatory review period](#g) determined under any such paragraph may not exceed five years.

    - (C) If the [patent](#f-6) involved was issued before the date of the enactment of this section and if an action described in [subparagraph (B)](#g-6-B) was taken before the date of the enactment of this section with respect to the approved [product](#f-1) and the commercial marketing or use of the [product](#f-1) has not been approved before such date, the period of extension determined on the basis of the [regulatory review period](#g) determined under such paragraph may not exceed two years or in the case of an approved [product](#f-1) which is a new animal drug or veterinary biological [product](#f-1) (as those terms are used in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act), three years.
- (h) The Director may establish such fees as the Director determines appropriate to cover the costs to the Office of receiving and acting upon applications under this section.
- (i)
  - (1) For purposes of this section, if the Secretary of Health and Human Services provides notice to the sponsor of an application or request for approval, conditional approval, or indexing of a [drug product](#f-2) for which the Secretary intends to recommend controls under the Controlled Substances Act, beginning on the [covered date](#i-2), the [drug product](#f-2) shall be considered to—
    - (A) have been approved or indexed under the relevant provision of the Public Health Service Act or Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; and
    - (B) have permission for commercial marketing or use.
  - (2) In this subsection, the term “covered date” means the later of—
    - (A) the date an application is approved—
      - (i) under section 351(a)(2)(C) of the Public Health Service Act; or
      - (ii) under section 505(b) or 512(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act;
    - (B) the date an application is conditionally approved under section 571(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act;
    - (C) the date a request for indexing is granted under section 572(d) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; or
    - (D) the date of issuance of the interim final rule controlling the drug under [section 201(j)](/usc/35/201.md) of the Controlled Substances Act.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be “Commissioner”.
[^2]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 98–417, title II, § 201(a), Sept. 24, 1984, 98 Stat. 1598; amended Pub. L. 100–670, title II, § 201(a)–(h), Nov. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 3984–3987; Pub. L. 103–179, §§ 5, 6, Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2040, 2042; Pub. L. 103–465, title V, § 532(c)(1), Dec. 8, 1994, 108 Stat. 4987; Pub. L. 105–115, title I, § 125(b)(2)(P), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2326; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, §§ 4404, 4732(a)(10)(A)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–560, 1501A–582; Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title III, § 13206(a)(9), (b)(1)(B), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1904, 1906; Pub. L. 112–29, § 37(a), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 341; Pub. L. 114–89, § 2(c), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 700.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Virus-Serum-Toxin Act, referred to in subsecs. (d)(2)(A)(i), (B)(i), (f)(2)(B), (4)(C), and (g)(5)(B), (6)(C), is the eighth paragraph under the heading “Bureau of Animal Industry” of act Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 145, 37 Stat. 828, which is classified generally to chapter 5 (§ 151 et seq.) of Title 21, Food and Drugs. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 151 of Title 21 and Tables.

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, referred to in subsecs. (d)(2)(A)(ii), (B)(ii), (f), (g)(2)(B), (3)(B)(ii), (6)(C), and (i)(1)(A), is act June 25, 1938, ch. 675, 52 Stat. 1040, which is classified generally to chapter 9 (§ 301 et seq.) of Title 21, Food and Drugs. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 301 of Title 21 and Tables.

The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsecs. (d)(2)(B)(i), (f)(2)(A), and (i)(1)(A), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, 58 Stat. 682, which is classified generally to chapter 6A (§ 201 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 201 of Title 42 and Tables.

Sections 503, 505, 512, 515, 571, and 572 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, referred to in subsecs. (f)(4)(B), (g)(1)(B), (3)(B), and (i)(2)(A)(ii), (B), (C), are classified, respectively, to sections 353, 355, 360b, 360e, 360ccc, and 360ccc–1 of Title 21, Food and Drugs. Section 507 of the Act, referred to in subsec. (g)(1)(B), was classified to section 357 of Title 21, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105–115, title I, § 125(b)(1), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2325.

Section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(5), which is classified to section 321 of Title 21, was subsequently amended, and section 201(y) no longer defines the term “informal hearing”. However, such term is defined elsewhere in that section.

Section 351 of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsecs. (f)(4)(A), (g)(1)(B)(i), (ii), and (i)(2)(A)(i), is classified to section 262 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

The date of enactment of the Generic Animal Drug and Patent Term Restoration Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(8), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 100–670, which was approved Nov. 16, 1988.

The date of the enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (g)(6), is the date of the enactment of Pub. L. 98–417, which was approved Sept. 24, 1984.

The Controlled Substances Act, referred to in subsec. (i)(1), is title II of Pub. L. 91–513, Oct. 27, 1970, 84 Stat. 1242, which is classified principally to subchapter I (§ 801 et seq.) of chapter 13 of Title 21, Food and Drugs. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 801 of Title 21 and Tables.

Section 201 of the Controlled Substances Act, referred to in subsec. (i)(2)(D), is classified to section 811 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

### Amendments

2015—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 114–89, § 2(c)(1), in introductory provisions, inserted “, or in the case of a drug product described in subsection (i), within the sixty-day period beginning on the covered date (as defined in subsection (i))” after “marketing or use”.

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 114–89, § 2(c)(2), added subsec. (i).

2011—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 112–29 inserted concluding provisions.

2002—Subsec. (b)(3)(B). Pub. L. 107–273, § 13206(a)(9)(A), substituted “paragraph” for “paragraphs”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 107–273, § 13206(b)(1)(B), made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4732(a)(10)(A)]. See 1999 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(i). Pub. L. 107–273, § 13206(a)(9)(B), substituted “below the Office” for “below the office”.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–273, § 13206(b)(1)(B), made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4732(a)(10)(A)]. See 1999 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (g)(6)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 107–273, § 13206(a)(9)(C), substituted “submitted” for “submittted”.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 107–273, § 13206(b)(1)(B), made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4732(a)(10)(A)]. See 1999 Amendment note below.

1999—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4404], in introductory provisions, inserted “, which shall include any patent term adjustment granted under section 154(b),” after “the original expiration date of the patent”.

Subsecs. (d), (e), (h). Pub. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4732(a)(10)(A)], as amended by Pub. L. 107–273, § 13206(b)(1)(B), substituted “Director” for “Commissioner” wherever appearing.

1997—Subsec. (f)(4)(B). Pub. L. 105–115, § 125(b)(2)(P), struck out “507,” after “505,” in two places.

1994—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 103–465 inserted “under subsection (e)(1) of this section” after “extended”.

1993—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 103–179, § 6(1)(A), substituted “subsection (d)(1)” for “subsection (d)”.

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 103–179, § 6(1)(B), substituted “paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (d)” for “subsection (d)”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–179, § 6(2), substituted “Except as provided in subsection (d)(5)(F), the rights” for “The rights” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 103–179, § 5(1), substituted “extended under subsection (e)(1)” for “extended”.

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 103–179, § 5(2), substituted “Except as provided in paragraph (5), such” for “Such” in second sentence.

Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 103–179, § 5(3), added par. (5).

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 103–179, § 6(3)(A), substituted “paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (d)” for “subsection (d)”.

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 103–179, § 6(3)(B), substituted “subsection (d)(1)” for “subsection (d)”.

1988—Subsec. (a)(5)(A). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(a)(1), inserted “or (C)” after “in subparagraph (B)”.

Subsec. (a)(5)(C). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(a)(2), (3), added subpar. (C).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(b), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: “The rights derived from any patent the term of which is extended under this section shall during the period during which the patent is extended—

“(1) in the case of a patent which claims a product, be limited to any use approved for the approved product before the expiration of the term of the patent under the provision of law under which the applicable regulatory review occurred;

“(2) in the case of a patent which claims a method of using a product, be limited to any use claimed by the patent and approved for the approved product before the expiration of the term of the patent under the provision of law under which the applicable regulatory review occurred; and

“(3) in the case of a patent which claims a method of manufacturing a product, be limited to the method of manufacturing as used to make the approved product.”

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(c), substituted “(3)(B)(i), (4)(B)(i), and (5)(B)(i)” for “and (3)(B)(i)”.

Subsec. (d)(1)(C). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(d), inserted “or the Secretary of Agriculture” after “and Human Services”.

Subsec. (d)(2)(A). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(e), amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: “Within sixty days of the submittal of an application for extension of the term of a patent under paragraph (1), the Commissioner shall notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services if the patent claims any human drug product, a medical device, or a food additive or color additive or a method of using or manufacturing such a product, device, or additive and if the product, device, and additive are subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, of the extension application and shall submit to the Secretary a copy of the application. Not later than thirty days after the receipt of an application from the Commissioner, the Secretary shall review the dates contained in the application pursuant to paragraph (1)(C) and determine the applicable regulatory review period, shall notify the Commissioner of the determination, and shall publish in the Federal Register a notice of such determination.”

Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(f), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows:

“(i) If a petition is submitted to the Secretary under subparagraph (A), not later than one hundred and eighty days after the publication of the determination under subparagraph (A), upon which it may reasonably be determined that the applicant did not act with due diligence during the applicable regulatory review period, the Secretary shall, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary determine if the applicant acted with due diligence during the applicable regulatory review period. The Secretary shall make such determination not later than ninety days after the receipt of such a petition. The Secretary may not delegate the authority to make the determination prescribed by this subparagraph to an office below the Office of the Commissioner of Food and Drugs.

“(ii) The Secretary shall notify the Commissioner of the determination and shall publish in the Federal Register a notice of such determination together with the factual and legal basis for such determination. Any interested person may request, within the sixty-day period beginning on the publication of a determination, the Secretary to hold an informal hearing on the determination. If such a request is made within such period, the Secretary shall hold such hearing not later than thirty days after the date of the request, or at the request of the person making the request, not later than sixty days after such date. The Secretary shall provide notice of the hearing to the owner of the patent involved and to any interested person and provide the owner and any interested person an opportunity to participate in the hearing. Within thirty days after the completion of the hearing, the Secretary shall affirm or revise the determination which was the subject of the hearing and notify the Commissioner of any revision of the determination and shall publish any such revision in the Federal Register.”

Subsec. (f)(1)(A). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(g)(1), struck out “human” before “drug product”.

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(g)(1), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “The term ‘human drug product’ means the active ingredient of a new drug, antibiotic drug, or human biological product (as those terms are used in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Public Health Service Act) including any salt or ester of the active ingredient, as a single entity or in combination with another active ingredient.”

Subsec. (f)(4)(B), (C). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(g)(2), which directed general amendment of subpars. (B) and (C) of par. (4), was executed by amending subpar. (B) generally, and adding subpar. (C) as probable intent of Congress in light of absence of subpar. (C) in par. (4). Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: “Any reference to section 503, 505, 507, or 515 is a reference to section 503, 505, 507, or 515 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.”

Subsec. (f)(7), (8). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(g)(3), added pars. (7) and (8).

Subsec. (g)(1)(A). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(h)(1)(A), (2), substituted “new drug, antibiotic drug, or human biological product” for “human drug product” and “paragraph (6)” for “paragraph (4)”.

Subsec. (g)(1)(B). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(h)(1)(B), substituted “new drug, antibiotic drug, or human biological product” for “human drug product” in introductory provisions and “product” for “human drug product” in cls. (i) and (ii).

Subsec. (g)(2)(A), (3)(A). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(h)(3), substituted “paragraph (6)” for “paragraph (4)”.

Subsec. (g)(4), (5). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(h)(4), added pars. (4) and (5). Former par. (4) redesignated (6).

Subsec. (g)(6). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(h)(4), redesignated former par. (4) as (6).

Subsec. (g)(6)(B)(i). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(h)(5)(A), substituted “paragraph (1)(B) or (4)(B) was submitted and no request for the authority described in paragraph (5)(B) was submitted” for “paragraph (1)(B) was submitted”.

Subsec. (g)(6)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(h)(5)(B), substituted “paragraph (2)(B) or (4)(B)” for “paragraph (2)”.

Subsec. (g)(6)(C). Pub. L. 100–670, § 201(h)(5)(C), inserted “or in the case of an approved product which is a new animal drug or veterinary biological product (as those terms are used in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act), three years” after “exceed two years”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2011 Amendment

Pub. L. 112–29, § 37(b), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 341, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to any application for extension of a patent term under section 156 of title 35, United States Code, that is pending on, that is filed after, or as to which a decision regarding the application is subject to judicial review on, the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 16, 2011].”

### Effective Date of 1999 Amendment

Amendment by section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4404] of Pub. L. 106–113 effective on date that is 6 months after Nov. 29, 1999, and, except for design patent application filed under chapter 16 of this title, applicable to any application filed on or after such date, see section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4405(a)] of Pub. L. 106–113, set out as a note under section 154 of this title.

Amendment by section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4732(a)(10)(A)] of Pub. L. 106–113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29, 1999, see section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4731] of Pub. L. 106–113, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

### Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–465 effective 6 months after Dec. 8, 1994, and applicable to all patent applications filed in the United States on or after that effective date, with provisions relating to earliest filed patent application, see section 534(b)(1), (3) of Pub. L. 103–465, set out as a note under section 154 of this title.