China Revises Priority Patent Examination, Bringing Biotech Patent Disputes to Resolution Within 5 Months

China will implement revised measures significantly strengthening priority examination of patents in emerging and future industries, including biopharmaceuticals, beginning Sept. 1. Under the changes, examination of invention patents will be completed within 45 days, registration within 1 year, and invalidation proceedings within 5 months. Restrictions on priority examination of divisional applications are expected to disrupt patent-thicket strategies, making it necessary for South Korean companies to reassess their China patent strategies.