More Transparency In Medical Product Prices Discussed At Event 24/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The lack of access to medical products has spread from being a developing country problem to a global one as prices are now too high even for developed country patients and health systems for some medicines. An event at the Graduate Institute Global Public Health Centre yesterday was an opportunity to explore these issues.
German-Backed Report Lays Out Strategy For R&D Into New Antibiotics 23/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment In the face of the lack of attractiveness of investing in research for new antibiotics for the pharmaceutical industry, and the general lack of funding for research and development for novel antibiotics, a new report commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Health calls for countries to take action. In particular, the report proposes a global union for research and development, a global research fund, and a global launch reward. And access and pricing are key components of the strategy, it says.
US Business, Government Work To Bring Down ‘Dangerous’ UN Panel Report On Access To Medicines – And Change The Debate In Geneva 23/02/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Calling it flawed and narrow and seemingly threatened by its contents, the leading United States business group and US government IP specialists are working to limit the impact of a recent United Nations report that made recommendations for the decades-old problem of ensuring affordable medicines reach people when they are under patent in a way that does not threaten innovation. One step in countering the UN report? Change the discourse in Geneva and elsewhere.
ARIPO, OAPI To Harmonise Practices On Intellectual Property In Africa 21/02/2017 by Hillary Muheebwa for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and its sister organisation, Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle [African Intellectual Property Organization] (OAPI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to harmonise the intellectual property systems of the two institutions.
BIO Investor Conference: New Technologies, Old Pricing Systems, And Insurance Payers In The US 20/02/2017 by Kim Treanor for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment NEW YORK — At a recent biotechnology investors event in the United States, the prospect of repeal or redesign of the Affordable Care Act, the president’s recent remarks on the prospect of Medicare negotiating prices directly with pharmaceutical corporations, and the public debate surrounding high priced medicines, meant few panels were immune from questions of affordability, access and payment.
Negotiating Access To University IP 17/02/2017 by Guest contributor for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment There are a vast amount of ways in which you can structure an intellectual property collaboration between a university and business. This article looks to provide guidance and points for consideration by both sides.
When Machines Create Intellectual Property, Who Owns What? 16/02/2017 by Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments The concept of machines that can think and create in ways that are indistinguishable from humans has been the stuff of science fiction for decades. Now, following major advances in artificial intelligence (AI), intellectual property created by machines without human input is fast becoming a reality. The development thus begs the question among legal scholars, legislative bodies, and judiciary branches of governments worldwide of who owns the intellectual property that humans did not create.
Special Report: WHO Board Sets Review Of 10-Year Effort To Boost Medicines Access, Affordability 16/02/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Once considered a breakthrough in negotiations to address problems of making cutting-edge medical products and research available to poor countries, the decade-old World Health Organization Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property (GSPOA) is now undergoing review, with the WHO Executive Board calling for a report on the initiative and plans for its future next year.
Kenya Works With Communities On Genetic Resources And Traditional Knowledge Protection 15/02/2017 by Justus Wanzala for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NAIROBI, Kenya — Excessive degradation and over-exploitation of plant biodiversity in Kenya has led to depletion of some species and narrowed their genetic base. Apart from the conservation challenge, utilisation and sharing of benefits from plant genetic resources and traditional and associated knowledge among communities has also remained opaque despite constitutional guarantees.
Fashion Law – New US/EU Legislation And Retailers: Customer Data And Trademarks 14/02/2017 by Kim Treanor for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NEW YORK — The fourth annual Fashion Law Seminar, organised by the Federal Bar Association Intellectual Property Section, presented on new legislation in the United States and European Union, and its potential impact on domestic and transnational retailers.