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H.R. 6485

U.S. HouseIn House Committee

Summary

H.R. 6485, the Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act, was introduced in the House on Dec 5, 2025 by Rep. Ben Cline (R) with 6 co-sponsors. It was referred to Judiciary, and last saw action on Dec 5, 2025: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


Record

Text

H.R. 6485 has 6 co-sponsors.

hb6485/introduced-in-house.txt
119 HR 6485 IH: Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2025-12-05
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 6485 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 5, 2025 Mr. Cline (for himself and Ms. Lofgren ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL
To amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for a safe harbor from infringement of a method of use patent relating to drugs or biological products.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act .
2.
Safe harbor from infringement of a method of use patent
(a)
In general
Section 271 of title 35, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
by redesignating subsections (h) and (i) as subsections (k) and (l), respectively; and
(2)
by inserting after subsection (g) the following:
(h)
(1)
The following shall not be acts of direct, induced, or contributory infringement of a method of use claim in a patent included in the list described in section 505(j)(7) or section 512(n)(4) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 355(j)(7) , 360b(n)(4)) in an action or counterclaim under this section:
(A)
Submitting or seeking approval of an application under section 505(j) or section 512(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 355(j) , 360b(b)(2)), or submitting or seeking approval of an application described in section 505(b)(2) of such Act ( 21 U.S.C. 355(b)(2) ), provided that such application includes a statement under, as applicable, section 505(j)(2)(A)(viii), section 512(n)(1)(I), or section 505(b)(2)(B) of such Act ( 21 U.S.C. 355(j)(2)(A)(viii) , 360b(n)(1)(I), 355(b)(2)(B)) for the method of use claims in the patent with the labeling proposed in such application.
(B)
Promoting or commercially marketing a drug product with the labeling approved in an application described in subparagraph (A).
(C)
Describing a drug product approved in an application submitted under section 505(j) or section 512(b)(2) of such Act ( 21 U.S.C. 355(j) , 360b(b)(2)) or approved in an application described in section 505(b)(2) of such Act ( 21 U.S.C. 355(b)(2) ) as a generic of, or therapeutically equivalent to, the listed drug referenced in such application, as applicable.
(2)
Subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1) shall apply only if the labeling, promotion, or commercial marketing does not reference the condition or conditions of use claimed in the patent that was identified by the patent owner or assignee to the Secretary under section 314.53 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation) and that was subject to the statement under section 505(j)(2)(A)(viii), section 512(n)(1)(I), or section 505(b)(2)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 355(j)(2)(A)(viii) , 360b(n)(1)(I), 355(b)(2)(B)), as applicable.
(i)
(1)
The following shall not be acts of direct, induced, or contributory infringement of a patent claim covering a method of using the reference product in an action or counterclaim under this section:
(A)
Submitting or seeking approval of an application under section 351(k) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262(k) ).
(B)
Describing a biological product approved in an application described in subparagraph (A) as biosimilar to, or interchangeable with, the reference product, as applicable, with the labeling approved in such application, when the biological product has not been approved for the patented condition or conditions of use.
(C)
Promoting or commercially marketing a biological product with the labeling approved in an application described in subparagraph (A).
(2)
Subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1) shall apply only if the labeling, promotion, or commercial marketing does not reference the condition or conditions of use claimed in the patent and specifically reflected in the prescribing information.
(j)
As used in this section:
(1)
The terms biological product , biosimilar , interchangeable , and reference product have the meanings given such terms in section 351(i) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262(i) ).
(2)
The term commercial marketing has the meaning given such term in section 314.3 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).
(3)
The term labeling has the meaning given such term in section 201(m) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 321(m) ).
(4)
The term promoting —
(A)
is within the meaning of the term used in section 202.1 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation); and
(B)
includes the use of promotional labeling and advertising, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 202.1(l) of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
.
(b)
Application
This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall apply to—
(1)
conduct that occurs before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act; and
(2)
all judicial or other proceedings pending as of such date of enactment.

Tracker

The tracker indicates the progress of this legislation as it moves through the legislative process.

  1. Introduced2025-12-05
  2. Passed House
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Conference
  5. To President
  6. Became Law

CRS Summary

The summaries are the Congressional Research Service’s, one per stage. Read them in full.

Introduced in House Dec 5, 2025

hb6485/introduced-in-house.md

Shown Here:
Introduced in House (12/05/2025)

Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act

This bill provides a statutory safe harbor from patent infringement claims for generic or biosimilar manufacturers that seek or obtain approval for skinny labels of their drugs.

Under current law, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may approve generic and biosimilar drugs through a process known as skinny labeling, which allows a generic manufacturer to seek approval only for approved uses of the drug that are no longer protected by patents. However, in GlaxoSmithKline LLC v. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., a court held that a generic manufacturer may sometimes be liable for patent infringement when it markets skinny label generics.

The bill specifically lists the following as actions that are not considered infringement of a method of use claim in a patent under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act:

  • submitting or seeking approval of a skinny label for a generic or biosimilar drug;
  • promoting or commercially marketing a drug with skinny labeling approved by the FDA; or
  • describing a drug product approved by the FDA as a generic of, or therapeutically equivalent to, the branded drug.

The bill also applies the safe harbor to similar actions under the Public Health Service Act.

Sponsors

Rep. Ben Cline (R) sponsors H.R. 6485, and 6 members have co-sponsored it, 1 of them from the day it was introduced.

Committees

H.R. 6485 went before 1 committee: Judiciary.

Judiciary
Judiciary
Referred To · Dec 5, 2025 · 2,181 Bills

Actions

H.R. 6485 has taken 2 actions since Dec 5, 2025.

ChamberAction
Dec 5, 2025
House
Introduced in House
Dec 5, 2025
House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.Judiciary Committee

Votes

H.R. 6485 has not gone to a roll call.

1 bill is related to H.R. 6485, as Identical bill.

Titles

H.R. 6485 goes by 3 titles, 1 of them short titles.

  • Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act — Display Title
  • Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act — Short Title(s) as Introduced
  • To amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for a safe harbor from infringement of a method of use patent relating to drugs or biological products. — Official Title as Introduced

Lobbying

18 clients hired 18 firms and 126 registered lobbyists who named H.R. 6485 in 34 quarterly filings, 2025 to 2026. Reported under the Lobbying Disclosure Act; a filing’s income covers everything its registrant worked that quarter, so the amounts below are the filings’, not this bill’s.

Filed under Copyright/Patent/Trademark, Medicare/Medicaid, Health Issues, Trade (domestic/foreign), Pharmacy, Budget/Appropriations, Taxation/Internal Revenue Code, Medical/Disease Research/Clinical Labs.

Clients

Who paid to be heard, by how many filings named the bill.

ClientBusinessStateFirmsFilingsReported
CAMPAIGN FOR SUSTAINABLE DRUG PRICING (CSRXP)Coalition to promote lowering prescription drug prices.District of Columbia13$150K
AMGEN INCDistrict of Columbia13
ASSOCIATION FOR ACCESSIBLE MEDICINESDistrict of Columbia13
BIOTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION ORGANIZATIONDistrict of Columbia13
GSK (FKA GLAXOSMITHKLINE INC.)District of Columbia13
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH AND MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICADistrict of Columbia13
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH & MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICA INCDistrict of Columbia12$620K
THE CAMPAIGN FOR SUSTAINABLE RX PRICINGA coalition of organizations working on market-based solutions to drug pricing.District of Columbia12$180K
AMERICAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW ASSOCIATION (AIPLA)LOBBYINGVirginia12
APOTEX CORP.Florida12
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEALTH-SYSTEM PHARMACISTSMaryland11
BLOOD CANCER UNITED (FKA THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY)District of Columbia11
BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATIONDistrict of Columbia11
BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF FLORIDA INCFlorida11
COUNCIL FOR INNOVATION PROMOTION (C4IP)A coalition dedicated to promoting strong IP rights that drive innovation.District of Columbia11
GUIDEWELL MUTUAL HOLDING CORPORATIONFlorida11
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATIONDistrict of Columbia11
PUBLIC CITIZENDistrict of Columbia11

Firms

Registrants who filed on the bill, by filings.

Lobbyists

Named on the filings that cite the bill. The 20 named most often, of 126.

Filings

The documents themselves, on the Senate’s Lobbying Disclosure site, largest reported first.

ClientRegistrantPeriodReportedDocument
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH AND MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICAPHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH AND MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICA2026 first_quarter$12.2M1st Quarter - Report
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH AND MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICAPHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH AND MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICA2025 fourth_quarter$8.4M4th Quarter - Report
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH AND MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICAPHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH AND MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICA2026 second_quarter$7.4M2nd Quarter - Report
AMGEN INCAMGEN, INC.2025 fourth_quarter$3.6M4th Quarter - Report
AMGEN INCAMGEN, INC.2026 first_quarter$2.6M1st Quarter - Report
AMGEN INCAMGEN, INC.2026 second_quarter$2.4M2nd Quarter - Report
BIOTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION ORGANIZATIONBIOTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION ORGANIZATION2026 second_quarter$2.4M2nd Quarter - Report
GSK (FKA GLAXOSMITHKLINE INC.)GSK (FKA GLAXOSMITHKLINE INC.)2026 first_quarter$1.6M1st Quarter - Report
BIOTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION ORGANIZATIONBIOTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION ORGANIZATION2026 first_quarter$1.6M1st Quarter - Report
BIOTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION ORGANIZATIONBIOTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION ORGANIZATION2025 fourth_quarter$1.5M4th Quarter - Report
ASSOCIATION FOR ACCESSIBLE MEDICINESASSOCIATION FOR ACCESSIBLE MEDICINES2025 fourth_quarter$1.2M4th Quarter - Report
BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATIONBLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION2026 second_quarter$990K2nd Quarter - Report
GSK (FKA GLAXOSMITHKLINE INC.)GSK (FKA GLAXOSMITHKLINE INC.)2026 second_quarter$890K2nd Quarter - Report
ASSOCIATION FOR ACCESSIBLE MEDICINESASSOCIATION FOR ACCESSIBLE MEDICINES2026 second_quarter$870K2nd Quarter - Report
ASSOCIATION FOR ACCESSIBLE MEDICINESASSOCIATION FOR ACCESSIBLE MEDICINES2026 first_quarter$840K1st Quarter - Report
GSK (FKA GLAXOSMITHKLINE INC.)GSK (FKA GLAXOSMITHKLINE INC.)2025 fourth_quarter$810K4th Quarter - Report
APOTEX CORP.APOTEX CORP.2026 second_quarter$730K2nd Quarter - Report
APOTEX CORP.APOTEX CORP.2026 first_quarter$730K1st Quarter - Report
BLOOD CANCER UNITED (FKA THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY)BLOOD CANCER UNITED (FKA THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY)2026 second_quarter$590K2nd Quarter - Report
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH & MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICA INCCOVINGTON & BURLING LLP2026 first_quarter$450K1st Quarter - Report

Classification

The Congressional Research Service files H.R. 6485 under Commerce, one of its 31 policy areas.

CRS Subjects

CRS assigns every bill one policy area from its 31; H.R. 6485’s is Commerce.

hr6485/policy-areas.txt
CommerceAgriculture and FoodAnimalsArmed Forces and National SecurityArts, Culture, ReligionCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCongressCrime and Law EnforcementEconomics and Public FinanceEducationEmergency ManagementEnergyEnvironmental ProtectionFamiliesFinance and Financial SectorForeign Trade and International FinanceGovernment Operations and PoliticsHealthHousing and Community DevelopmentImmigrationInternational AffairsLabor and EmploymentLawNative AmericansPublic Lands and Natural ResourcesScience, Technology, CommunicationsSocial WelfareSports and RecreationTaxationTransportation and Public WorksWater Resources Development

Constitutional authority

The clause the sponsor cites as Congress’s power to enact H.R. 6485, as entered in the Congressional Record.

[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 204 (Friday, December 5, 2025)][House]From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]By Mr. CLINE:H.R. 6485.Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuantto the following:Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.[Page H5057]

Source: congress.gov · legiscan.com