Ropes & Gray Launches Virtual Panel Discussion Series on 2020 Election Impact

Ropes & Gray launched a virtual panel discussion series called “Transition Tuesdays” exploring the potential impacts of the 2020 Presidential, Senate and House of Representatives elections. Regulatory changes that might emanate from Washington D.C. are likely to be complex, and the rules affecting business may shift rapidly, so preparation for the varied possibilities will be key. 

The first program was hosted by IP litigation partner Matt Rizzolo addressing what the new administration may hold for intellectual property rights in the United States. 

Panel replay Transition Tuesdays – 2020 Election and Intellectual Property

Topics of discussion included:

• Expected leadership & regulatory changes at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
• SCOTUS review of emergent IP issues
• Potential for IP legislation from Congress
• Drug patents and pricing post-pandemic, among other issues. 

The second panel examined what the new administration may hold for the life sciences industry in the United States with Ropes & Gray attorneys from the life sciences regulatory and compliance and health care practices including Greg Levine, Margaux Hall, Kellie Combs and Beth Weinman. 

Panel replay Transition Tuesdays – 2020 Election and Life Sciences

Discussion topics included:

• Expected leadership changes at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• Most Favored Nation rule and other drug pricing regulatory changes, now and under the new administration
• Laboratory Developed Tests and other medical device priorities
• Path to market for COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics
• FDA’s proposed rule on intended use and the landscape for FDA promotional enforcement
• Potential shift in FDA enforcement priorities

The third panel on 2020 Election and DOJ & SEC Enforcement Priorities evaluated what the new administration may hold for enforcement priorities in the upcoming months. Ropes & Gray attorneys from the litigation & enforcement practice included Colleen Conry, Jeremiah Williams, and Samantha Barrett Badlam.   

Panel Reply Transition Tuesdays – 2020 Election and DOJ & SEC Enforcement Priorities

Topics included:

• Expected leadership and enforcement changes at the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission.
• Potential shifts in enforcement priorities at the U.S. Department of Justice, including reinvigorated focus on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations.
• Enforcement priorities in the healthcare space, including continued focus on Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act violations in the drug and device space.

The fourth panel on 2020 Election and Health Care examined what the new administration may hold for the health care and research industry in the upcoming months with Ropes & Gray attorneys from the health care practice including Tom Bulleit, Margaux Hall, Stephanie Webster and Valerie Bonham.

Panel Replay – Transition Tuesdays – 2020 Election and Health Care

Topics of discussion included:

• Congressional Review Act possibilities
• The Affordable Care Act: California v. Texas and beyond
• Developments related to statutory and enforcement trends for foreign influence in research
• Provider Relief Fund auditing activity
• Telehealth expansion
• Recent drug pricing rules and the impact on provider