To address patent thickets.

HR 6986 limits patent holders from asserting multiple patents in infringement lawsuits against companies developing generic drugs or biosimilars. Specifically, it allows only one patent per "Patent Group" (commonly owned patents related through certain legal filings) to be claimed against such companies in a single lawsuit. This directly affects drug/biosimilar manufacturers submitting applications under FDA approval pathways (21 U.S.C. 355 or 42 U.S.C. 262) or selling approved versions of these products. The rule applies to new applications filed after the bill's enactment, aiming to reduce complex patent litigation tactics.