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  • Washington Highlights

    AAMC and Other Higher Education Associations Comment on Proposed Bayh-Dole Revisions

    Stephen Heinig, Director, Science Policy

    The AAMC Dec. 9 joined four other higher education associations to comment on proposed changes by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to regulations that fall under the Bayh-Dole Act.

    The Nov. 7 notice proposes a few revisions to the law to conform with updated patent regulations and clarifies that the provisions of the Bayh-Dole Act extend to large and small businesses. The Bayh-Dole Act permits universities, businesses and other organizations receiving federal research grants to retain the title to inventions stemming from sponsored research.

    The AAMC, the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), and the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) issued the letter, noting the “tremendous success” of the Bayh-Dole Act in catalyzing commercial development of many academic discoveries.

    The letter also notes, “Any changes to the law and implementing regulations should be carefully considered to avoid undermining or adding unnecessary administrative burdens to this thriving and successful academic tech transfer system,” adding, “We are therefore gratified that NIST has sought to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the technology transfer infrastructure while protecting Bayh-Dole’s basic framework.”