On June 6, 2017, Knowledge Ecology International wrote to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) asking the Department to adopt a policy on the licensing of federally-funded CRISPR patented inventions. (Copy here).
On 31 May 2017, the delegations of Brazil, China, Fiji, India, and South Africa tabled a paper to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) TRIPS Council entitled “Intellectual Property and the Public Interest.” In their communication (IP/C/W/630), the proponents called for a series of discussions at the WTO TRIPS Council on Intellectual Property and the Public Interest. Brazil, China, Fiji, India, and South Africa proposed compulsory licensing as the first theme of IP and the Public Interest discussions at the TRIPS Council meeting in June 2017.
(More on government funded inventions here. Other KEI comments on NIH licenses are found here.) On June 5, 2017, KEI provided comments to the NIH/NCI, on a prospective grant of an exclusive license to PathoVax, relating to HPV vaccines. On July 10,… Continue Reading
(More on government funded inventions here. Other KEI comments on NIH licenses are found here.) This was our comment on the license. See below for the June 8, 2017 NIH response, rejecting our requests for changes to the license to address pricing… Continue Reading
(More on government funded inventions here. Other KEI comments on NIH licenses are found here.) On May 31, 2017, we sent the following comment to the NIH regarding the proposed exclusive license on certain patents for cancer treatment to GeneXion Oncology. May 31,… Continue Reading
Portugal delivered the following statement at the 70th World Health Assembly on agenda item, 13.3 – Global shortage of, and access to medicines and vaccines.
In relation to the Report of the United Nations High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines (UNHLP), the delegation of Portugal quoted the intervention delivered by the Portuguese Minister of Health, Professor Campos Fernandes at the plenary of the 70th World Health Assembly.
On Friday, 26 May 2017, Knowledge Ecology International delivered the following intervention on the Evaluation and review of the global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property. This statement was read by Manon Ress.
13.4 Evaluation and review of the global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual propertyThe GSPOA evaluation conducted by Capra International was disappointing, raising questions about the terms of reference, and low ambition.
WHA70 – Side Event on Addressing Access Barriers and Affordability Challenges for Cancer Drugs – 24 May 2017
On Wednesday, 24 May 2017, Knowledge Ecology International (KEI), Oxfam and Stichting Health Action International (HAI) are convening a side event on addressing access barriers and affordability challenges for cancer medicines. This panel will take place in Salle IX of the United Nations Palais des Nations from 18:00 to 19:30.
Date: Wednesday, 24 May 2017
Time: 18:00 to 19:30
Location: Salle IX, United Nations Palais des NationsPanelists:
Experts, NGOs ask WHA delegates to support feasibility study of funding cancer research without high prices
On May 3, 2017, 29 civil society organizations and 33 health professionals, activists, and economists — including Nobel Prize laureate Joseph Stiglitz — asked delegates to the World Health Assembly (WHA) to support a feasibility study on the progressive delinkage of the costs of research and development from the price of cancer medicines. The groups and experts sent a letter to the delegates.
2017: Three documents leaked from RCEP negotiations, relating to investment, competition and services