We're pleased to share details of a new pilot program launched by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) aimed at enhancing accessibility to the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH). This initiative, effective for PPH requests made between September 15, 2025, and December 31, 2027, offers a 30% refund on official fees for search and/or examination requests.

For Singapore patent applicants, this translates to meaningful savings: approximately SGD 615 for combined search and examination reports, SGD 426 for examination reports alone, and SGD 315 in cases where IPOS established the International Search Report or Preliminary Report for PCT national phase entries. Importantly, IPOS handles the refund automatically once the PPH request is approved, with processing typically taking 1-2 months. No additional paperwork is required from applicants.

Beyond the financial incentive, leveraging PPH in Singapore can significantly streamline your clients' global IP strategies. Drawing on IPOS data, with the advantages of the PPH program, participants in the program have had the benefits of:
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• A robust 94% grant rate;
• Expedited first office actions, generally within 10 months of the PPH request; and
• Reduced office actions, with around 70% of cases resolving at the initial office action.
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Singapore’s extensive PPH network spans more than 30 offices, including major authorities such as the USPTO, EPO, JPO, KIPO and CNIPA. This makes it easier to align Singapore filings with positive outcomes from your home jurisdictions, which in turn helps harmonise international portfolios, accelerate market entry in Southeast Asia and reduce overall prosecution timelines.

Eligibility is flexible: You can opt in at the time of filing the search/examination request by checking the ASPEC/PPH box on the relevant form and submitting supporting documents. Alternatively, if a request has already been filed but examination has not yet commenced, you may inform your Singapore patent agent of your intention to make a PPH request, together with the application number and any necessary claim amendments to conform to the allowed foreign claims.

For those who value an early IPOS report to inform strategies elsewhere, this pilot complements Singapore's other acceleration options, such as SG Patent FAST, ASPEC, and collaborative programs with ASEAN neighbours like Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos.

If any of your pending Singapore matters could qualify, perhaps those with favorable reports from PPH partner offices, please reach out. We'd be happy to assess eligibility, discuss potential amendments, and guide you through the process.

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