A company that invents a treatment for a neglected disease, for example, could be given a patent extension on one of its lucrative drugs.

On the other hand, patent extension and tariff suspension have practical effects that make the bill a point of considerable immediate interest in many board rooms.

One major victory was getting the patent extension attached to the bill.

The patent extension would never be approved on a straight up-or-down vote.

But most analysts believe Lopid will receive the patent extension.

The committee eventually did not support the patent extension.

That the issue of the patent extensions arises from an unintended loophole is generally beyond dispute.

Drug companies have also fought hard to win patent extensions.

The bill would have provided tax credits, patent extensions, and immunity from civil liability.

On the one hand, the law gave the brand companies the patent extensions they coveted - a move that would, in essence, delay generic competition.