
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, October 19, 1995                   TAG: 9510190030
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-8   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

HOUSE PASSES BOUCHER BIOTECHNOLOGY BILL

The House of Representatives has passed legislation written by Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, to promote the development of new medicines by improving patent protection for the biotechnology industry.

The measure now goes to President Clinton for his signature, which is expected in a few weeks.

One goal of biotechnology is to reproduce in large quantities the beneficial substances that occur naturally in small quantities, thus making them commercially feasible.

American inventors have not had a clear procedure to follow when it comes to applying for a process patent, Boucher said. The bill creates clear rules for inventors and researchers.

"It should also be noted that there is a strong Southwest Virginia interest in the success of this industry," Boucher said. "Virginia Tech is a national leader in the biotechnology field. Its outstanding research efforts have already spawned a number of small businesses in the New River Valley, and we are now building a Biotechnology Center at Virginia Tech, to which federal funds have contributed, that will simultaneously maintain the university's national leadership and encourage further business growth in our region."

The biotechnology industry originated in this country. Some of its results include drugs which dissolve life-threatening blood clots in heart-attack victims, treat anemia or reduce the need for blood transfusions in patients suffering kidney failure.

by CNB