Boston Scientific spent $400,000 on lobbying in 1Q

Lobbyists promoted the company's view on a bill aimed at overhauling the U.S. patent system.

Software and electronics developers support legislation that passed the House last year, saying it would cut down on frivolous patent-infringement lawsuits. But the medical device and pharmaceutical industries argue it will weaken patent protections on their products by reducing infringement penalties. The bill has stalled in the Senate.

Boston Scientific also lobbied for greater access to foreign markets, including Japan, Korea, China, Brazil, and countries in the European Union. In addition, the Natick, Mass.-based company lobbied on a bill that would require drug and medical device manufacturers to disclose gifts given to physicians by their salespeople.

The medical device industry's trade association endorsed the legislation last month after its sponsors agreed to make several revisions, including raising the amount of gifts that companies would have to disclose to $500 from $25.

Brenda Becker, a former assistant to Vice President Dick Cheney, was among those lobbying on Boston Scientific's behalf in the first three months of the year, according to the form filed April 18 with the House clerk's office.