MPEP § 2757 — Regulatory Agency Determination of the Length of the Regulatory Review Period (Annotated Rules)

§2757 Regulatory Agency Determination of the Length of the Regulatory Review Period

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2025-12-31

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2757, including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.

Regulatory Agency Determination of the Length of the Regulatory Review Period

This section addresses Regulatory Agency Determination of the Length of the Regulatory Review Period. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 156(d)(5). Contains: 1 prohibition, 1 permission, and 6 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

PTE Calculation

6 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2757-3c5eda431c7ef82a721e4182]
Regulatory Agency Determines PTE Review Period
Note:
The regulatory agency is responsible for determining the length of the review period for an approved product on which a patent term extension application is based.

Under 35 U.S.C. 156, the regulatory agency is responsible for the determination of the length of the regulatory review period for the approved product on which the application for patent term extension is based. The determination by the regulatory agency is made based on the application as well as the official regulatory agency records for the approved product. See, e.g., 21 CFR Ch. 1, Subpart C. The determination of the length of the regulatory review period is solely the responsibility of the regulatory agency. Aktiebolaget Astra v. Lehman, 71 F.3d 1578, 1580-81, 37 USPQ2d 1212, 1214-15 (Fed. Cir. 1995) (regarding U.S. Patent No. 4,215,113). To determine the regulatory review period for an animal drug where the New Animal Drug Application (NADA) components were submitted to FDA in a phased review, the approval phase, as defined by 35 U.S.C. 156(g)(4)(B)(ii), begins on the date of the submission of the administrative NADA. See Wyeth Holdings Corp. v. Sebelius, 603 F.3d 1291, 1299-1300, 95 USPQ2d 1233,1240 (Fed. Cir. 2010).

Jump to MPEP SourcePTE CalculationPTE Determination ProcedurePatent Term Extension
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2757-e3c9bf221eb4c0f98209c415]
Regulatory Agency Determines PTE Review Period
Note:
The regulatory agency is responsible for determining the length of the review period for patent term extension based on the application and official records.

Under 35 U.S.C. 156, the regulatory agency is responsible for the determination of the length of the regulatory review period for the approved product on which the application for patent term extension is based. The determination by the regulatory agency is made based on the application as well as the official regulatory agency records for the approved product. See, e.g., 21 CFR Ch. 1, Subpart C. The determination of the length of the regulatory review period is solely the responsibility of the regulatory agency. Aktiebolaget Astra v. Lehman, 71 F.3d 1578, 1580-81, 37 USPQ2d 1212, 1214-15 (Fed. Cir. 1995) (regarding U.S. Patent No. 4,215,113). To determine the regulatory review period for an animal drug where the New Animal Drug Application (NADA) components were submitted to FDA in a phased review, the approval phase, as defined by 35 U.S.C. 156(g)(4)(B)(ii), begins on the date of the submission of the administrative NADA. See Wyeth Holdings Corp. v. Sebelius, 603 F.3d 1291, 1299-1300, 95 USPQ2d 1233,1240 (Fed. Cir. 2010).

Jump to MPEP SourcePTE CalculationPTE Determination ProcedureProducts Eligible for PTE
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2757-5fb36960db40233bda2d401e]
Regulatory Agency Determines PTE Review Period
Note:
The regulatory agency is solely responsible for determining the length of the patent term extension review period based on the application and official records.

Under 35 U.S.C. 156, the regulatory agency is responsible for the determination of the length of the regulatory review period for the approved product on which the application for patent term extension is based. The determination by the regulatory agency is made based on the application as well as the official regulatory agency records for the approved product. See, e.g., 21 CFR Ch. 1, Subpart C. The determination of the length of the regulatory review period is solely the responsibility of the regulatory agency. Aktiebolaget Astra v. Lehman, 71 F.3d 1578, 1580-81, 37 USPQ2d 1212, 1214-15 (Fed. Cir. 1995) (regarding U.S. Patent No. 4,215,113). To determine the regulatory review period for an animal drug where the New Animal Drug Application (NADA) components were submitted to FDA in a phased review, the approval phase, as defined by 35 U.S.C. 156(g)(4)(B)(ii), begins on the date of the submission of the administrative NADA. See Wyeth Holdings Corp. v. Sebelius, 603 F.3d 1291, 1299-1300, 95 USPQ2d 1233,1240 (Fed. Cir. 2010).

Jump to MPEP SourcePTE CalculationPTE Determination ProcedurePatent Term Extension
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2757-d2b0956c265d1dc203370a87]
Regulatory Agency Determines PTE Review Period
Note:
The regulatory agency is responsible for determining the length of the regulatory review period for an approved product on which a patent term extension application is based.

Under 35 U.S.C. 156, the regulatory agency is responsible for the determination of the length of the regulatory review period for the approved product on which the application for patent term extension is based. The determination by the regulatory agency is made based on the application as well as the official regulatory agency records for the approved product. See, e.g., 21 CFR Ch. 1, Subpart C. The determination of the length of the regulatory review period is solely the responsibility of the regulatory agency. Aktiebolaget Astra v. Lehman, 71 F.3d 1578, 1580-81, 37 USPQ2d 1212, 1214-15 (Fed. Cir. 1995) (regarding U.S. Patent No. 4,215,113). To determine the regulatory review period for an animal drug where the New Animal Drug Application (NADA) components were submitted to FDA in a phased review, the approval phase, as defined by 35 U.S.C. 156(g)(4)(B)(ii), begins on the date of the submission of the administrative NADA. See Wyeth Holdings Corp. v. Sebelius, 603 F.3d 1291, 1299-1300, 95 USPQ2d 1233,1240 (Fed. Cir. 2010).

Jump to MPEP SourcePTE CalculationPTE Determination ProcedureProducts Eligible for PTE
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2757-88c09e4c82e02666a6f54d01]
Approval Phase Begins on NADA Submission for Animal Drugs
Note:
The regulatory review period for an animal drug starts when the administrative New Animal Drug Application is submitted, even if components were reviewed in phases.

Under 35 U.S.C. 156, the regulatory agency is responsible for the determination of the length of the regulatory review period for the approved product on which the application for patent term extension is based. The determination by the regulatory agency is made based on the application as well as the official regulatory agency records for the approved product. See, e.g., 21 CFR Ch. 1, Subpart C. The determination of the length of the regulatory review period is solely the responsibility of the regulatory agency. Aktiebolaget Astra v. Lehman, 71 F.3d 1578, 1580-81, 37 USPQ2d 1212, 1214-15 (Fed. Cir. 1995) (regarding U.S. Patent No. 4,215,113). To determine the regulatory review period for an animal drug where the New Animal Drug Application (NADA) components were submitted to FDA in a phased review, the approval phase, as defined by 35 U.S.C. 156(g)(4)(B)(ii), begins on the date of the submission of the administrative NADA. See Wyeth Holdings Corp. v. Sebelius, 603 F.3d 1291, 1299-1300, 95 USPQ2d 1233,1240 (Fed. Cir. 2010).

Jump to MPEP SourcePTE CalculationProducts Eligible for PTEPatent Term Extension
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2757-1fa670f15cd5300e3c32b123]
Regulatory Agency Determines PTE Review Period
Note:
The regulatory agency is responsible for determining the length of the regulatory review period for an approved product on which a patent term extension application is based.

Under 35 U.S.C. 156, the regulatory agency is responsible for the determination of the length of the regulatory review period for the approved product on which the application for patent term extension is based. The determination by the regulatory agency is made based on the application as well as the official regulatory agency records for the approved product. See, e.g., 21 CFR Ch. 1, Subpart C. The determination of the length of the regulatory review period is solely the responsibility of the regulatory agency. Aktiebolaget Astra v. Lehman, 71 F.3d 1578, 1580-81, 37 USPQ2d 1212, 1214-15 (Fed. Cir. 1995) (regarding U.S. Patent No. 4,215,113). To determine the regulatory review period for an animal drug where the New Animal Drug Application (NADA) components were submitted to FDA in a phased review, the approval phase, as defined by 35 U.S.C. 156(g)(4)(B)(ii), begins on the date of the submission of the administrative NADA. See Wyeth Holdings Corp. v. Sebelius, 603 F.3d 1291, 1299-1300, 95 USPQ2d 1233,1240 (Fed. Cir. 2010).

Jump to MPEP SourcePTE CalculationPTE Determination ProcedureProducts Eligible for PTE
Topic

Petition-Based Extension (1.136(b))

5 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2757-0fb811a3006f7dff22ddb02f]
Agency Must Publish Determination and Notify Office
Note:
The regulatory agency must publish the determination in the Federal Register and notify the Office with the same information, including the length of the review period and relevant dates.

Once the determination has been made, the regulatory agency publishes the information in the Federal Register and forwards a letter to the Office with the same information. Included in both the Federal Register Notice and the letter to the Office are the total length of the regulatory review period and the relevant dates on which the determination is based. Both the letter to the Office and the Federal Register Notice separate the total regulatory period into the initial or testing phase and the final approval phase. This provides the Office with the information necessary to determine the actual length of extension for which the patent may be eligible. The Federal Register Notice also sets a date, 180 days after publication of the notice, as a deadline for filing written comments concerning any of the information set forth in the notice or a petition for a determination regarding whether the marketing applicant has acted with due diligence during the regulatory review period. The Federal Register Notice also sets a date, which is 60 days after publication of the notice, for anyone with information that the published dates are incorrect to request redetermination. The letter to the Office makes clear that the determination does not take into account the issue date of the patent nor does it exclude one-half of the testing phase.

Jump to MPEP SourcePetition-Based Extension (1.136(b))Extension of Time (37 CFR 1.136)Patent Eligibility
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2757-068a73619fd80b49dd8d2197]
Federal Register Notice and Office Letter Include Regulatory Review Details
Note:
The Federal Register Notice and letter to the Office include the total length of the regulatory review period and relevant dates, separating it into testing and approval phases.

Once the determination has been made, the regulatory agency publishes the information in the Federal Register and forwards a letter to the Office with the same information. Included in both the Federal Register Notice and the letter to the Office are the total length of the regulatory review period and the relevant dates on which the determination is based. Both the letter to the Office and the Federal Register Notice separate the total regulatory period into the initial or testing phase and the final approval phase. This provides the Office with the information necessary to determine the actual length of extension for which the patent may be eligible. The Federal Register Notice also sets a date, 180 days after publication of the notice, as a deadline for filing written comments concerning any of the information set forth in the notice or a petition for a determination regarding whether the marketing applicant has acted with due diligence during the regulatory review period. The Federal Register Notice also sets a date, which is 60 days after publication of the notice, for anyone with information that the published dates are incorrect to request redetermination. The letter to the Office makes clear that the determination does not take into account the issue date of the patent nor does it exclude one-half of the testing phase.

Jump to MPEP SourcePetition-Based Extension (1.136(b))Extension of Time (37 CFR 1.136)Patent Eligibility
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2757-5e77fa980f0def6ac5c8c7ab]
Deadline for Comments on Regulatory Review Information
Note:
The Federal Register Notice sets a deadline, 180 days after publication, for filing written comments regarding the notice or petitioning for due diligence determination.

Once the determination has been made, the regulatory agency publishes the information in the Federal Register and forwards a letter to the Office with the same information. Included in both the Federal Register Notice and the letter to the Office are the total length of the regulatory review period and the relevant dates on which the determination is based. Both the letter to the Office and the Federal Register Notice separate the total regulatory period into the initial or testing phase and the final approval phase. This provides the Office with the information necessary to determine the actual length of extension for which the patent may be eligible. The Federal Register Notice also sets a date, 180 days after publication of the notice, as a deadline for filing written comments concerning any of the information set forth in the notice or a petition for a determination regarding whether the marketing applicant has acted with due diligence during the regulatory review period. The Federal Register Notice also sets a date, which is 60 days after publication of the notice, for anyone with information that the published dates are incorrect to request redetermination. The letter to the Office makes clear that the determination does not take into account the issue date of the patent nor does it exclude one-half of the testing phase.

Jump to MPEP SourcePetition-Based Extension (1.136(b))Period for Reply (37 CFR 1.134)Extension of Time (37 CFR 1.136)
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2757-d707b7e146707b7db556df99]
Request Redetermination Within 60 Days of Notice
Note:
Patent holders must request redetermination if they believe the published dates are incorrect within 60 days after the Federal Register notice is published.

Once the determination has been made, the regulatory agency publishes the information in the Federal Register and forwards a letter to the Office with the same information. Included in both the Federal Register Notice and the letter to the Office are the total length of the regulatory review period and the relevant dates on which the determination is based. Both the letter to the Office and the Federal Register Notice separate the total regulatory period into the initial or testing phase and the final approval phase. This provides the Office with the information necessary to determine the actual length of extension for which the patent may be eligible. The Federal Register Notice also sets a date, 180 days after publication of the notice, as a deadline for filing written comments concerning any of the information set forth in the notice or a petition for a determination regarding whether the marketing applicant has acted with due diligence during the regulatory review period. The Federal Register Notice also sets a date, which is 60 days after publication of the notice, for anyone with information that the published dates are incorrect to request redetermination. The letter to the Office makes clear that the determination does not take into account the issue date of the patent nor does it exclude one-half of the testing phase.

Jump to MPEP SourcePetition-Based Extension (1.136(b))Extension of Time (37 CFR 1.136)Patent Eligibility
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2757-fa2124ca5f412ef255e504a6]
Determination Excludes Issue Date and Half Testing Phase
Note:
The determination of the regulatory review period does not consider the patent issue date nor exclude half of the testing phase.

Once the determination has been made, the regulatory agency publishes the information in the Federal Register and forwards a letter to the Office with the same information. Included in both the Federal Register Notice and the letter to the Office are the total length of the regulatory review period and the relevant dates on which the determination is based. Both the letter to the Office and the Federal Register Notice separate the total regulatory period into the initial or testing phase and the final approval phase. This provides the Office with the information necessary to determine the actual length of extension for which the patent may be eligible. The Federal Register Notice also sets a date, 180 days after publication of the notice, as a deadline for filing written comments concerning any of the information set forth in the notice or a petition for a determination regarding whether the marketing applicant has acted with due diligence during the regulatory review period. The Federal Register Notice also sets a date, which is 60 days after publication of the notice, for anyone with information that the published dates are incorrect to request redetermination. The letter to the Office makes clear that the determination does not take into account the issue date of the patent nor does it exclude one-half of the testing phase.

Jump to MPEP SourcePetition-Based Extension (1.136(b))Extension of Time (37 CFR 1.136)Patent Eligibility
Topic

Maintenance Fee Payment

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2757-2aa9860a85aca132d13300a9]
Regulatory Review Period Not Final Until Petitions and Hearings Resolved
Note:
The determination of the regulatory review period is not final until any due diligence petitions and informal hearings have been resolved.

The regulatory review period determination is not final until due diligence petitions and informal hearings, if any, have been resolved. A certificate for extension of the term of a patent may not issue from the Office until the regulatory review period determination is final unless an interim extension appears warranted under 35 U.S.C. 156(d)(5) and (e)(2).

Jump to MPEP SourceMaintenance Fee Payment
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-2757-f3fbad8f518adb1d4c4b26cb]
Patent Extension Requires Final Regulatory Review Determination
Note:
A patent extension can only be granted after the regulatory review period is definitively determined, unless an interim extension is warranted under specific conditions.

The regulatory review period determination is not final until due diligence petitions and informal hearings, if any, have been resolved. A certificate for extension of the term of a patent may not issue from the Office until the regulatory review period determination is final unless an interim extension appears warranted under 35 U.S.C. 156(d)(5) and (e)(2).

Jump to MPEP SourceMaintenance Fee Payment
Topic

PTE Determination Procedure

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2757-ede22eb305c8066abeec14e6]
Determination of Regulatory Review Period Based on Application and Official Records
Note:
The regulatory agency determines the length of the review period for an approved product based on the application and official records.

Under 35 U.S.C. 156, the regulatory agency is responsible for the determination of the length of the regulatory review period for the approved product on which the application for patent term extension is based. The determination by the regulatory agency is made based on the application as well as the official regulatory agency records for the approved product. See, e.g., 21 CFR Ch. 1, Subpart C. The determination of the length of the regulatory review period is solely the responsibility of the regulatory agency. Aktiebolaget Astra v. Lehman, 71 F.3d 1578, 1580-81, 37 USPQ2d 1212, 1214-15 (Fed. Cir. 1995) (regarding U.S. Patent No. 4,215,113). To determine the regulatory review period for an animal drug where the New Animal Drug Application (NADA) components were submitted to FDA in a phased review, the approval phase, as defined by 35 U.S.C. 156(g)(4)(B)(ii), begins on the date of the submission of the administrative NADA. See Wyeth Holdings Corp. v. Sebelius, 603 F.3d 1291, 1299-1300, 95 USPQ2d 1233,1240 (Fed. Cir. 2010).

Jump to MPEP SourcePTE Determination ProcedurePTE CalculationProducts Eligible for PTE
Topic

Extension of Time (37 CFR 1.136)

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2757-ca8572d1a96e3bec956dc001]
Separation of Regulatory Review into Testing and Approval Phases for Patent Extension Determination
Note:
The rule requires the Federal Register Notice and letter to Office to separate the regulatory review period into testing and approval phases to determine patent extension eligibility.

Once the determination has been made, the regulatory agency publishes the information in the Federal Register and forwards a letter to the Office with the same information. Included in both the Federal Register Notice and the letter to the Office are the total length of the regulatory review period and the relevant dates on which the determination is based. Both the letter to the Office and the Federal Register Notice separate the total regulatory period into the initial or testing phase and the final approval phase. This provides the Office with the information necessary to determine the actual length of extension for which the patent may be eligible. The Federal Register Notice also sets a date, 180 days after publication of the notice, as a deadline for filing written comments concerning any of the information set forth in the notice or a petition for a determination regarding whether the marketing applicant has acted with due diligence during the regulatory review period. The Federal Register Notice also sets a date, which is 60 days after publication of the notice, for anyone with information that the published dates are incorrect to request redetermination. The letter to the Office makes clear that the determination does not take into account the issue date of the patent nor does it exclude one-half of the testing phase.

Jump to MPEP SourceExtension of Time (37 CFR 1.136)Patent EligibilityPetition-Based Extension (1.136(b))

Citations

Primary topicCitation
PTE Calculation
PTE Determination Procedure
35 U.S.C. § 156
Maintenance Fee Payment35 U.S.C. § 156(d)(5)
PTE Calculation
PTE Determination Procedure
35 U.S.C. § 156(g)(4)(B)(ii)

Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP

This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.

BlueIron Last Updated: 2025-12-31