REMS Patents: Listability and Other Issues

Joanna Brougher, Owner & Principal, BioPharma Law Group PLLC, USA

Abstract: Are Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) patents Orange Book listable (or even should be)? A straightforward question with a lot of disagreement. This paper discusses recent litigation on Orange Book listability, including Jazz Pharmaceuticals v. Avadel CNS Pharmaceuticals, as well as current efforts of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (’USPTO”) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (’FDA”) to determine what policy or rules will govern the listing of REMS patents. Outlined are considerations for patent counsel when deciding whether to list a REMS patent in the Orange Book. The paper also discusses other issues relating to REMS patents, including antitrust implications, and offers best practices for obtaining and managing REMS patents.