This Week in Washington IP: Government Funding of Decarbonization, the State of Black-owned Businesses, and U.S. Tech Diplomacy

This week in Washington IP news, Congress is having a relatively quiet week, but the House will further discuss the impact of Pharmacy Benefit Managers on patients and the pharmaceutical industry. Elsewhere the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is holding an event offering guidance on how women entrepreneurs can seek startup capital.

Monday, May 22

Hudson Institute

Prosperity at Risk: The Quantum Computer Threat to the US Financial System

At 12:00 PM on Monday, online livestream

On Monday, a Hudson Institute panel will discuss a new report on the threat posed by quantum computers on public encryption systems. The report will be shared by Hudson Senior Fellow and Director of the Quantum Alliance Initiative (QAI) Arthur Herman and QAI Associate Director Alex Butler. It details the fallout from a future quantum computer attack on the Federal Reserve, an issue that has White House officials and cybersecurity experts discussing the need to act and make these systems more secure.

Tuesday, May 23

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability

The Role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers in Prescription Drug Markets Part I: Self-Interest or Health Care?

At 10:00 AM on Tuesday, 2154 Rayburn and online livestream

On Tuesday, this House committee will examine Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and their effect on increasing healthcare costs for consumers. PBMs have been up for debate and the subject of a new bill that is part of a slew of prospective legislation that aims to reduce drug prices. Committee Chairman Jim Comer (R-KY) said in a press release announcing the hearing,  “Pharmacy Benefit Managers’ anticompetitive tactics are driving up health care costs for Americans and harming patient care.”

Center for Strategic and International Studies

Financing U.S. Decarbonization: A Conversation with Jigar Shah

At 3:00 PM on Tuesday, online livestream

On Tuesday, Jigar Shah, Director of the Loan Programs Office (LPO) at the U.S. Department of Energy, will sit down with CSIS to discuss his office’s current role in stimulating the transition to clean energy. The LPO offers out loans of significant capital to firms involved in decarbonization efforts including electric vehicles and energy projects. The CSIS plans to talk to Shah about supply chain competitiveness and supporting U.S. nuclear energy.

Wednesday, May 24

Hudson Institute

US Leadership in Tech Diplomacy: A Conversation with Ambassador Nathaniel C. Fick

At 9:30 AM on Wednesday, Hudson Institute Headquarters and online livestream

On Wednesday, Nathaniel C. Fick the first United States ambassador at large for cyberspace and digital policy will discuss the changing attitudes at the State Department surrounding U.S. technology diplomacy. Some topics to be discussed include the role and influence of the United States in tech diplomacy, and potential pitfalls and opportunities present in the current landscape.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

#WEWednesday – Funding your startup: What investors are looking for and what women entrepreneurs need to know

At 1:00 PM ET on Wednesday, Berkeley School of Law and online livestream

On Wednesday, the USPTO is holding an event in its Empowering Women’s Entrepreneurship (WE) series. Funding experts and successful entrepreneurs will share their experience and discuss key issues for women business owners. The panel includes Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, Lisha Bell Economic Opportunity Manager at PayPal, and professors and CEOs.

Thursday, May 25

Brookings Institution

State of Black businesses: What can be learned from Black women-led business growth?

At 10:00 AM on Thursday, online livestream

On Thursday, an expert panel hosted by Brookings Metro will discuss the state of Black women-owned employer businesses in the United States. The event is hosted in collaboration with the Path to 15|55 initiative, which has the goal of growing the percentage of Black-owned employer firms. Brookings senior fellow Andre Perry will present findings from an upcoming report on Black business growth from 2017-2020 before turning over the discussion to the panel of business leaders.