WIPO Seminar: Experts Discuss IP Protection Of Genetic Resources 31/05/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Last week, the World Intellectual Property Organization held a seminar on intellectual property and genetic resources. For over a decade, WIPO members have been discussing ways to protect genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge from misappropriation. The seminar allowed speakers from different regions and interests to offer their views on the topic.
WHO’s Kieny: R&D Resolution ‘An Advance That Shows Strong Recommitment’ 31/05/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Health Organization members sent a clear signal at the annual Assembly last week when they committed to step up efforts to find ways to fund research into diseases that results in affordable products, according to the top WHO official working on these issues.
WIPO Delegates Seek Convergence On Protection Of Genetic Resources This Week 30/05/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The protection of genetic resources from misappropriation through patents, for example without the consent of the resource owners, and in particular indigenous communities, or benefit-sharing when commercial benefits arise from the use of those resources is being discussed this week at the World Intellectual Property Organization. Two divergent broad perspectives on how to achieve such protection are hoped to come closer on core issues.
Global Health In The Glare In G7 Final Resolutions; Trade Deals Promised For 2016 27/05/2016 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Reform of the WHO, support for the Contingency Fund for Emergency to enable swift initial responses by the WHO, and a special R&D and innovation chapter in the G7 Ise-Shima Vision for Global Health that does not include the word intellectual property are some of the notables after the G7 Summit closed today in Japan. Counting pages, Global Health and lessons from the recent Ebola and Zika outbreaks did receive the biggest attention. But the G7 would not be its old usual without considerable warnings and some concrete proposals how to fight global terrorism and violent extremism.
Drafting Group Finishes Framework On WHO And Outside Actors 27/05/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment If adopted as expected tomorrow by the World Health Assembly, a framework guiding the relationships between the World Health Organization and outside actors will be the first of its kind in the United Nations system, according to sources.
EU Council Green-Lights Trade Secrets Directive 27/05/2016 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Union trade secrets directive passed its final hurdle on 27 May when EU governments backed compromise text approved by the European Parliament on 14 April. Once the law has been formally published, member states will have up to two years to incorporate its provisions into domestic law.
Against Microbial Resistance Peril, WHA Delegates Discuss Global Solutions, Approve Report 27/05/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment According to a new report, by 2050, some 10 million lives could be lost a year due to antimicrobial resistance. This is an issue which has been central to this year’s World Health Assembly, and is of global consequence. Delegates gathered for the occasion noted a report by the World Health Organization secretariat on the global action plan on antimicrobial resistance adopted last year and options to develop a global stewardship framework to try to limit the use of antibiotics and develop new ones.
National And Regional Initiatives To Spur Research For New Antibiotics 27/05/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A side event to the World Health Assembly organised by a number of delegations on antibiotic research and innovation reflected the deep global concern about antimicrobial resistance and the lack of candidates to replace what was once considered as a miracle of modern medicine.
WHA: Pandemic Flu Preparedness Framework Praised; Vaccine Production Still Short 26/05/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Adopted five years ago, the World Health Organization Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework is currently undergoing its first review. Member states gathered in committee at the World Health Assembly yesterday mostly expressed support for the framework, and took note of a report by the WHO secretariat.
Amending Pharmaceutical Industry Practices Can Build Trust, Panellists Say 26/05/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment At a side event to this week’s World Health Assembly, GlaxoSmithKline detailed measures taken by the company to dispel the perception of conflict of interest, and build trust, including amending the ways its sales forces operate, and no longer paying speakers at scientific congresses, and said it wants to provide leadership on the issue. Patients and physicians associations call for mainstreaming those practices.