US Highest, India Lowest On US Chamber International IP Index31/01/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe United States Chamber of Commerce Global Intellectual Property Center this week released a report ranking 25 countries on their IP environment.
MSF: AstraZeneca Pullout Of Neglected Disease R&D Proof System Broken31/01/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentFollowing news reports that pharmaceutical producer AstraZeneca will end its spending on early stage research and development for tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases, Médecins Sans Frontières issued a statement saying the move is further proof that substantive change to the global pharmaceutical R&D system is needed.
New Study Makes Case for Innovative Medicines31/01/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentA new pharmaceutical industry-backed study draws attention to the value of innovative medicines in reducing healthcare costs and to the wider society that goes beyond clinical and personal values. However, in middle income countries, national prioritisation and improvements in healthcare infrastructure are needed to maximise the value of medicinal innovation, the study found.
Year Ahead: Internet Governance After Snowden: Cacophony Of Conferences30/01/2014 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsThose interested in internet governance will have to put some money aside for 2014: rarely have there been so many conferences to talk about how to manage core internet resources and develop the common rules to govern more general aspects of global net communication.
At WIPO, Global Experts Share Experiences On Open Collaboration29/01/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe recent World Intellectual Property Organization Conference on Open Innovation: Collaborative Projects and the Future of Knowledge showed the potential of open collaborative innovation in confronting some of today’s greatest challenges. This model of innovation is used in industries ranging from health research and solutions to climate change to film production and museum design.
In State Of The Union, Obama Highlights Need For Patent Reform, Trade29/01/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentIn the annual State of the Union speech of the United States president to Congress last night, President Obama described an innovation race, and highlighted the importance of trade agreements and passage of patent reform legislation.
At WIPO, Nations See Different Needs From Patent System27/01/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentAn important international platform that has seen stark differences in the past, the World Intellectual Property Organization Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP) began a weeklong meeting today on improving the patent system with parties promoting their own interests and asking straightforward questions of others.
WHO Sets Path For Model R&D Projects For Developing Countries25/01/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsMembers of the World Health Organization Executive Board this week moved forward on the long path to new ways to spur research and development for diseases that mainly afflict poor populations. A process has been set for considering – and potentially choosing among – eight projects before the annual World Health Assembly in May.
WHO Board Adopts Resolution On Medicines Access After TRIPS Flexibilities Debate25/01/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe sometimes tense issue of intellectual property rights flexibilities built into international trade rules on IP briefly threatened to trip up a proposal on access to medicines today at the World Health Organization. But members managed to steer the debate to consensus on a text that will now head to the full membership for approval in May.
WHO Board Addresses Substandard Medicines, Flu Pandemics, Regulatory Systems24/01/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe World Health Organization Executive Board got through a high number of items yesterday, including several with ramifications for intellectual property and innovation.
