New Rules On Generic Biological Medicines Under US Congressional Debate 17/07/2008 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch When Biotechnology Industry Organization CEO Jim Greenwood meets with members of the United States Congress to talk to them about follow-on biologics, he brings a graphic model of an aspirin and a DVD showing the complex molecules of a biologic drug. He uses these visuals to help explain the differences between traditional chemical drugs and newer, cutting-edge biological ones being used in many breakthrough therapies for cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, and other diseases. The differences between traditional chemical drugs and biological ones is the crux of the debate going on in the United States as Congress and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) try to create a regulatory pathway that gives consumers greater access to cheaper, generic biological drugs, but still spurs innovation and protects innovator patent claims. “When the legislation was introduced at the beginning of this Congress, most pundits expected that we’d oppose it,” said Greenwood, a former House representative from Pennsylvania, told Intellectual Property Watch. “But that was a mistake the pharmaceutical industry made in the ’80s – trying to resist the notion you could safely make generics …our view at BIO is that we need to follow the science, and science says you can make follow-on biologics that can be safe and can save the consumer money and therefore we support it.”
Modalities Drafted For WTO Geographical Indications, Biodiversity Amendment 15/07/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Kaitlin Mara A confidential draft text circulated recently among some World Trade Organization members reveals an attempt to consolidate separate proposals aimed at the protection of product names with location-related associations and characteristics (called geographical indications) and at the protection of biological diversity and traditional knowledge. Proponents appear to still be seeking support in […]
Las patentes mancomunadas son la siguiente etapa para la creación de un organismo de adquisición de medicamentos innovadores 11/07/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Por Kaitlin Mara Una iniciativa intergubernamental de carácter excepcional para la financiación de medicamentos en las regiones pobres y mal abastecidas tomó una decisión histórica la semana pasada: adoptar un acuerdo sobre el interés de compartir los derechos de propiedad intelectual (PI) a fin de reducir los costos y mejorar la calidad de los medicamentos […]
Lors d’une réunion-débat, appel à des réponses politiques pour encourager le transfert de technologie vers les PMA 11/07/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Par Catherine Saez Selon certains participants à une réunion-débat qui s’est tenue récemment, le transfert de technologie vers les pays les moins avancés (PMA) a été freiné par divers facteurs, comme la réticence des entreprises des pays développés à établir des relations commerciales ou à consentir des investissements étrangers directs (IED) dans les PMA, l’incapacité […]
La communauté de brevets, prochaine étape des organismes développant des stratégies innovantes d’achat de médicaments 11/07/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Par Kaitlin Mara UNITAID, une initiative intergouvernementale de financement des médicaments dans les régions pauvres et mal desservie, a pris une décision la semaine dernière une décision qui fera date en reconnaissant l’utilité de partager les droits de propriété intellectuelle afin de réduire les coûts et d’améliorer la qualité des médicaments essentiels. Lors du huitième […]
Grupo de expertos: se necesitan políticas para impulsar la transferencia de tecnología a los PMA 11/07/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Por Catherine Saez La transferencia de tecnología a los países menos adelantados (PMA) se ha visto obstaculizada por diversos factores, entre ellos, la renuencia de empresas de países desarrollados a realizar negocios o inversiones extranjeras directas, la incapacidad de los PMA para incorporar la tecnología, y un sistema de informes ineficiente, según las conclusiones de […]
Group of Eight Developing Islamic Countries (D-8) Approve Ten Year Roadmap 10/07/2008 by Wagdy Sawahel for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Wagdy Sawahel for Intellectual Property Watch Leaders of the Group of Eight Developing Islamic Countries (D-8) this week adopted an ambitious 10-year blueprint to substantially expand trade and economic cooperation with the aim of improving the position of Muslim developing countries in the global world economy, according to the Kuala Lumpur declaration on meeting […]
Le système de propriété intellectuelle freine la science et l’innovation selon des lauréats du prix Nobel 09/07/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Par Dugie Standeford pour Intellectual Property Watch MANCHESTER, UK – Le système de propriété intellectuelle vise davantage à «fermer l’accès à la connaissance» qu’à permettre sa diffusion, a indiqué le Professeur Joseph Stiglitz lors d’une conférence intitulée “Who Owns Science?” (« À qui appartient la science » ?) qui a eu lieu le 5 juillet. […]
G8 Governments Want ACTA Finalised This Year, SPLT Talks Accelerated 09/07/2008 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments By Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Despite issues like the current food, energy and climate crises having taken centre stage at this week’s Group of 8 summit in Japan, governments did not lose sight of earlier plans to promote and more strictly protect intellectual property rights. The eight leaders in their document on the […]
Patent Pooling Is Next Step For Innovative Drug Purchasing Agency 09/07/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Kaitlin Mara A “landmark” decision was made last week by a unique intergovernmental initiative for drug financing in poor and underserved areas: an agreement on the usefulness of sharing intellectual property rights to lower costs and increase quality of needed medicines. At its eighth executive board meeting in Geneva on 2 and 3 July, […]