Patients, Researchers, and the American Public Support Patent Eligibility Limits

October 14, 2025 - Washington, DC

On October 8, 2025, the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA). PERA would change current limits on the patentability of laws of nature, allowing companies to create patent thickets on the building blocks of science that scientists rely on to develop lifesaving innovations.

Breakthrough innovation is cumulative. It builds upon a shared foundation of basic scientific knowledge—the “scientific commons.” Current patent eligibility law (35 U.S.C. § 101) wisely protects this commons, ensuring that no one can monopolize the fundamental building blocks of science, such as natural laws, biological correlations, and abstract ideas.

PERA would overturn this law, harming patients and researchers by granting monopolies over basic medical discoveries and blocking basic research that we need for tomorrow’s cures.

UAEM joined a coalition of organizations representing patients, scientists, researchers, and consumer advocates to request Senators to reject the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act.