President Clinton on Friday appointed Bruce Lehman as thenew commissioner of the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO).

Lehman, who comes from the Washington, D.C., law firm ofSwidler & Berlin, has already been brought into discussionsabout biotechnology patent issues and needs, according to CarlFeldbaum, president of the Biotechnology IndustryOrganization (BIO), the new entity created by the merger of theAssociation of Biotechnology Companies (ABC) and theIndustrial Biotechnology Association (IBA).

"Our industry leaders have discussed with Mr. Lehman thebiotechnology industry's need for a stronger patent system,"commented Feldbaum.

"He recognizes not only the critical importance of intellectualproperty protection for the biotechnology industry, but also ourindustry's value to the nation. Lehman will play a significantand positive role for the biotechnology and other hightechnology industries." Feldbaum added.

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