Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman are often described as the pioneers of the mRNA discoveries that underpin the first COVID-19 vaccines. In 2005 both scientists published a paper reporting that a slightly tweaked version of mRNA that can be administered… Continue Reading
To: Ken Millburne Technology Transfer Program Food and Drug Administration Via email: Kenneth.millburne@fda.hhs.gov From: James Love Knowledge Ecology International 1621 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20009 https://keionline.org Date: November 30, 2020 Re: Prospective Grant of an Exclusive Patent… Continue Reading
On Friday, 20 November 2020, the World Trade Organization (WTO) convened an informal, virtual meeting of the TRIPS Council to discuss a proposal (IP/C/W/669) co-sponsored by Eswatini, India, Kenya, and South Africa for a waiver from certain provisions of the… Continue Reading
On November 6, 2020, Knowledge Ecology International (KEI) submitted comments to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) regarding the, “Prospective Grant of an Exclusive Patent License: Development of a Direct Ocular Administered Formulation of Metformin for Use in Therapeutic Treatment… Continue Reading
On November 7, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) posted another COVID-19 vaccine contract: the $1 billion agreement between Janssen Pharmaceutical (a component of Johnson & Johnson (“J&J”)) and the U.S. government (through an intermediary called Advanced… Continue Reading
On November 5, 2020, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals published a redacted version of the contract awarding the company $450 million taxpayers’ dollars for the large-scale manufacture of Regeneron’s investigational COVID-19 antibody treatment. The contract uses Other Transactions Authority to weaken the U.S.… Continue Reading
A contract between Regeneron and Advanced Technology International (ATI) involving $450 million in taxpayer funding uses the “Other Transactions Authority” or OTA, to avoid Bayh-Dole safeguards on patent rights. ATI is entering into purchase agreements on behalf of the Department… Continue Reading
Lilly recently requested an emergency use authorization for LY-CoV555, an antibody treatment candidate against COVID-19. Like other COVID-19 candidates, the discovery of LY-CoV555 was heavily supported by the U.S. government. The government of Canada has also awarded millions to manufacture… Continue Reading
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals failed to disclose U.S. government funding in a patent that claims antibodies against COVID-19. The obligation to acknowledge U.S. government funding in patents is required under an existing contract between Regeneron and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development… Continue Reading
KEI Research Note 2020:4 Regeneron failed to disclose BARDA funding in their REGN-COV2 patent Luis Gil Abinader October 20, 2020 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals failed to disclose U.S. government funding in a patent that claims antibodies against COVID-19. The obligation to acknowledge… Continue Reading