World’s Most Effective HIV Drug Rolled Out In Africa In Generic Version29/06/2017 by Fredrick Nzwili for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentNAIROBI, Kenya – A generic version of dolutegravir (DTG), the drug of choice for the last two years for people living with HIV in high-income countries, is now available in Africa. On 28 June, the government of Kenya and drug pricing and innovation mechanism Unitaid unveiled the new first-line drug in an effort to accelerate access to better antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for her people living with HIV. It becomes the first country in Africa to introduce the generic version of drug.
Kenyan Regulator Cancels Leading Collective Management Licence To Streamline Music Royalties22/02/2017 by Fredrick Nzwili for Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentNAIROBI, Kenya — In a move meant streamline the collection of music royalties in Kenya, the government regulator declined to renew a 2017 licence for a leading collective organisation over unmet standards.
UNCTAD’s Work On IP To Continue In Strengthened Four-Year Mandate25/07/2016 by Fredrick Nzwili for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentNAIROBI, Kenya (IP-Watch) – Intellectual property rights related to trade and development will continue to be part of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s programme work, according to an agreement on the organisation’s four-year mandate reached at the agency’s 14th session in Nairobi.
Commitment On Investment In Access To Essential Medicines Signed At UNCTAD1422/07/2016 by Fredrick Nzwili for Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentNAIROBI, Kenya (IP-Watch) – A commitment signed this week to facilitate investment in Africa’s pharmaceutical industry is expected to boost the sector’s production and make available essential medicines for millions of needy people.
UNCTAD14: Global Non-Tariff Measures Database Launched; Calls For Strengthened UNCTAD Heard20/07/2016 by Fredrick Nzwili for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentNAIROBI, Kenya (IP-Watch) — A global database on non-tariff measures (NTMs) has been launched here at the 14th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD 14). Also this week the World Investment Forum kicked off, the first such event since agreement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
UNCTAD Conference Opens With High-Level Calls For Action On Trade And Development18/07/2016 by Fredrick Nzwili for Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsNAIROBI, Kenya (IP-Watch) – The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 14th Session opened here yesterday, with leaders calling for deeper and broader cooperation between trade and development.
Amid Allegations Of IP Theft By Corporations, Local Kenyan Innovators React10/06/2016 by Fredrick Nzwili for Intellectual Property Watch 3 CommentsNAIROBI, Kenya – As start-up and innovation centres spring up across Africa, Kenya – which birthed the continent’s tech movement – is emerging as one of its leading innovation nuclei. But concerns are intensifying here that young inventors are losing their innovations to conglomerates, in what is alleged as intellectual property theft or abuse.
As South Sudan Joins East African Community, Some Experts Worry Over Its IP Laws08/03/2016 by Fredrick Nzwili for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentNAIROBI, Kenya — Experts and activists are raising concern over the lack of proper intellectual property laws in South Sudan, as the world’s newest nation’s admission into the East Africa Community (EAC) spurs anticipation of increased investment.
East Africa Pharma Summit Examines Linkages Between Domestic Policies, Industry, Trade And Health29/02/2016 by Fredrick Nzwili for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentNAIROBI, Kenya — As the budding East African pharmaceutical industry shows clear gains , experts at a pharmaceutical summit in Kenya underlined the sector as key to tackling challenges related to access to essential medicines in the region.
Kenyan Musicians Escalate Fight For Royalties10/02/2016 by Fredrick Nzwili for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentNAIROBI, Kenya — The battle for music royalties in Kenya has spurred musicians and artists to demand transparency and accountability in the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), the body that collects and distributes the fees.
