WHO Report Calls For Research To Achieve Universal Health Coverage 19/08/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The World Health Organization last week released a new report highlighting how global and local research can help design a system for universal health coverage tailored to each country’s specific needs.
Medicines Patent Pool, Roche Strike HIV-Related Medicine Pricing Agreement 05/08/2013 by Kelly Burke for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The Medicines Patent Pool today announced an agreement with Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche to increase access and reduce the cost of a medicine that treats a viral infection in people with weakened immune systems, specifically for people living with HIV.
What Does WTO Extension For LDCs To Enforce IP Mean For Pharmaceuticals? 02/08/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The recent extension granted by World Trade Organization members to least developed countries giving 8 more years to implement international intellectual property protection rules threw a shroud of confusion over a parallel WTO waiver for pharmaceutical products conferred on least developed countries until 2016. In an attempt to shed some light on the issue, several experts were asked for their reflections on the consequences of the new extension.
Infojustice: The Question Of Patent Eligible Subject Matter And Evergreening Practices 31/07/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Infojustice writes: Over the past few years, patent-eligible subject matter has become one of the hotly debated areas of patent law in several countries. Even in the United States, the Supreme Court is beginning to express concerns about overly inclusive patent rules that stifle both competition and follow-on innovation. However, significant confusion persists over the difference between patent eligible subject matter and patentability requirements. Patent eligibility tests have proven quite difficult to apply, often leading to inconsistent and unpredictable results.
EFPIA, PhRMA Release Joint Principles For Clinical Trial Data-Sharing, To Criticism 30/07/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) endorsed joint principles for clinical trial data-sharing.
IP And Public Health, Biotech Rise As Issues In TPP Negotiations 30/07/2013 by Brittany Ngo for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Intellectual property and the issues of biotechnology and public health are rising concerns for stakeholders to the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement negotiations.
Concerns Raised Over Potential Threat of Investment Agreements 25/07/2013 by Brittany Ngo for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Investor agreements, included in many bilateral investment treaties (BITs), are a source of growing concern for many national governments. These agreements essentially leave countries vulnerable to litigation by individual firms, rather than other countries, as is the case in traditional World Trade Organization disputes.
ECOSOC Tackles HIV/AIDS, NCDs, Science/Tech For Development 23/07/2013 by Brittany Ngo for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) yesterday took action on reports pertaining to HIV/AIDS, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and science and technology for development.
Push For “March-In Rights” To Prevent Myriad From Asserting Patents On Cancer Test 22/07/2013 by Brittany Ngo for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Despite last month’s United States Supreme Court decision on a case involving Myriad Genetics, which struck down some of Myriad’s patents related to human genes, Myriad has filed infringement suits against two companies that had announced they would begin offering lower-cost tests for the breast cancer genes in question.
Transitions In The Global IP Community 17/07/2013 by Kelly Burke for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Just as the world of international intellectual property law and policy is ever-changing, so are the faces within it. Below you will find an updated list of the latest people news and IP moves across international organisations, national and regional governments, nonprofit organisations, and the private sector, from the first half of this year.