U.S. Ambassador urges Argentina to adopt Patent Cooperation Treaty

U.S. Ambassador Peter Lamelas has called on the Argentine Senate to expedite the country’s accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Speaking at the AmCham Forum Health 2026, Lamelas noted that full adherence to the treaty could attract approximately $8 billion in investments over the next six years.

The PCT allows for a single international patent application to seek protection across multiple countries. While the Argentine Chamber of Deputies approved the accession in August, the measure returned to the Senate following a reservation regarding Article 64, which concerns international preliminary examinations.

Lamelas also emphasized the importance of protecting regulatory data for medicines and the implementation of the Trade and Investment Agreement (ATCI) signed in February. He highlighted recent regulatory shifts in Argentina, including the repeal of certain restrictions on pharmaceutical patenting and biotechnology patents, as steps toward creating a more predictable environment for investors.