To embed, copy and paste the code into your website or blog: On April 15, 2021, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) implemented the COVID-19 Prioritized Examination Pilot Program (“Pilot Program”) to fast-track ex parte appeals of products or processes subject to an applicable FDA approval for COVID-19 use. Generally, appeals to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) are taken up for decision in the order they are docketed, with an average of 13 months from the time the PTAB receives the appeal to the date of the final decision. For qualifying appeals, the PTAB h...