WHO Draft 5-Year Plan Would Focus On Impact & Innovation, Be Discreet On Medicines Access 25/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment After the new head of the World Health Organization provided his vision for his tenure of the global health institution this summer, the organisation is working on its next programme of work for the period 2019-2023. A preliminary concept note has been issued for public consideration. The note lays out priorities and new orientations and describes a financially sober, more efficient organisation, focused on measurable impact, set on aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and affirming its role as a multi-stakeholder platform of global governance on health, but stays clear of controversial issues, such as the affordability of medicines.
No Progress On WTO Appellate Body Appointments As Ranks Thinning 25/10/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The imbroglio which might cause a major impediment to the World Trade Organization’s functioning is thickening as the United States continues to block the selection process to fill vacancies in the WTO Appellate Body, according to sources.
Qatar WTO Dispute Case: An Issue Of IP Or National Security? 24/10/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week blocked the first request by Qatar for a World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel to rule on measures by UAE that Qatar alleges interfere with trade in goods and services and with protection of Qatar’s intellectual property rights. Neighbouring countries say they have taken actions out of concern that Qatar is providing financial support for terrorist groups.
CARB-X Makes Award For First Topical Antimicrobial; Could Be Used In Emergency Settings 24/10/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment CARB-X, an initiative aimed at accelerating innovation in antibacterial treatment, today announced an award to a company to accelerate development of a new bioengineered antimicrobial intended to be applied directly to affected tissues. This follows an announcement earlier this month of funding another firm to develop a new antibiotic class to treat drug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections.
Consultation On Future Of WHO Pandemic Flu Programme To Look At Seasonal Viruses, Genetic Information 24/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Health Organization mechanism to prepare the world for the next influenza pandemic is pondering its future and possible improvements. Among them are its extension to seasonal influenza, and the inclusion of genetic virus information along with biological samples to keep pace with technological developments. Member states and stakeholders (except the media) have been invited by the WHO to a consultation next month to discuss an analysis showing the potential beneficial or deleterious effects of the suggested changes to the system.
Global Fund For AIDS, TB & Malaria Narrows Director Candidates To Four 23/10/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced today it has narrowed the search to four high-level candidates, coming from backgrounds in banking, development agencies and United Nations programs.
Staff Union Welcomes Next EPO President, Hopes For Dialogue 23/10/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In a letter to its members, the Staff Union of the European Patent Office (SUEPO) in The Hague, Netherlands has welcomed the election of Antonio Campinos as new President of the EPO a week ago, expressed hope for a change in EPO management-workforce relations and has some recommendations for next steps.
TRIPS Council Serves As Ground For Discussion Of Compulsory Licensing 23/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The escalating prices of medicines has become a growing global concern. Among many issues, intellectual property has been pointed to as providing monopolies that allow for unaffordable prices, in particular in developing countries. Though there is consensus among countries that IP is but one of the issues, the extent of the IP influence is not agreed. The use of compulsory licences as a way for developing countries to grant access to medicines to their populations was discussed during the World Trade Organization committee on intellectual property last week, with divergent opinions.
TRIPS Council: Fears That Non-Violation Complaints Could Undercut Flexibilities In IP Trade Rules 20/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments World Trade Organization committee members this week were asked to recommend to the upcoming ministerial conference whether to lift or indefinitely prolong a moratorium shielding intellectual property from complaints between members not involving a breach of a WTO agreement. Short of a consensus, the intellectual property committee will have to reconvene next month to try to find agreement. Separately, a two-year extension was granted to countries not yet having ratified the public health amendment to WTO IP rules.
WIPO Report To Annual Assemblies Contains Some Interesting Facts 20/10/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Among all the high-profile issues on the stage and the countless side meetings and cultural celebrations happening at the annual World Intellectual Property Organization annual Assemblies, there were some interesting facts and figures presented about the UN agency itself.