The purpose of this Trade Brief is to provide the background to, and also an update on an important aspect of Bangladesh’s graduation from least-developed country (LDC) status, scheduled for 26 November 2026. The specific focus is on the issue of providing protection for pharmaceutical patents, taking into account the history of the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh, and the significant role it plays in its economy. It reports on a significant new development, namely the adoption of the Patents Act of 2023. It explains how Bangladesh’s proposed course of action fits in with the applicable multilateral context, especially the WTO TRIPS Agreement, and flags the possibility of challenges which may arise.