The Biotechnology Industry Association is continuing its war of words against a hedge fund manager who the group says is trying to profit by challenging pharmaceutical patents.

Since February, billionaire Kyle Bass has filed challenges against several drug patents, claiming drugmakers are improperly extending their patents in questionable ways, the news service Reuters reported. Critics claim such challenges are part of a strategy to make money through short-selling by driving the companies' stock prices lower. http://reut.rs/1Nf7YQm

Bass was dealt a setback Wednesday when the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office declined to hold a trail on the validity of a patent held by the pharmaceutical company Biogen. BIO released a statement the next day noting Bass had filed a dozen patent challenges against pharmaceutical companies in August alone, including two challenges against a company he has previously targeted, Acorda.

BIO urged the patent office and Congress to take steps to end what it says is abuse of the system.

"The fact that a hedge fund or others can file endless challenges to the same patents over and over again, forcing small companies like Acorda to divert their time, attention and limited resources to fighting these improper attacks rather than focusing on bringing new cures to patients, is outrageous and offensive," BIO CEO Jim Greenwood said.

Bass has been a frequent target of BIO: The association has issued at least three statements so far this year criticizing him. http://bit.ly/1IOtFib

MORE CEO DATELINE

• Business groups challenge FCC attempt to regulate robocalls
• American Bar Association seeking to overturn Florida gun law
• Library associations side against telecom groups in net neutrality fight
• Nursing association adopts zero tolerance policy for workplace violence
• Broadcasters sue FCC to overturn decision on cable rates