The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) publishes “General Safe Practices for Working with Engineered Nanomaterials in Research Laboratories.” NIOSH conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injury, illness and death.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office seeks feedback on its First Action Interview Pilot Program, which has been extended while under review. Designed to expedite disposition of an application by enhancing communication between an applicant and an examiner, the program allows patent applicants to “conduct an interview with an examiner prior to the issuance of an Office action, but after receiving the examiner’s search results and initially identifying issues.” Comments are requested by August 8, 2012.
The Food and Drug Administration seeks public comment on “the statement of work for an assessment of the Program for Enhanced Review Transparency and Communication for New Molecular Identity (NME) New Drug Applications (NDAs) and Original Biologics License Applications (BLAs).” Comments on the program, which would increase communications by increasing interactions between FDA and applicants, are requested by August 6, 2012.
