Biden presses Colombia to block biosimilar drugs
(More on Colombia here: /colombia)
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WIPO’s new Senior Management Team: New faces for Copyright, Development, Global Issues and Patents
A long standing parlor game for WIPO insiders and observers during the summer of 2014 involved guessing the composition of WIPO’s new Senior Management Team (the team of deputy director generals and assistant director generals who form WIPO’s cabinet). On 16 September 2014, the WIPO secretariat laid this to rest by revealing the composition of the new WIPO Senior Management Team of deputy director generals and assistant director generals. New faces in the cabinet include: Mr. Continue Reading
The Gilead HCV license: Glass half empty, or half full?
On Monday, September 15, 2014, Gilead announced licensing agreements with 7 generic drug manufacturers, for two of its HCV drugs, including sofosbuvir, which is currently the most important HCV drug, and the basis for Gilead’s value to shareholders. KEI’s statement from Monday, and links to other NGO comments are here: https://www.keionline.org/node/2082.
KEI welcomes the Gilead HCV licenses, as a step to expand access to treatments. Notes challenges that remain
Today Gilead announced it will provide seven generic drug manufacturers licenses to make and sell two drugs that are used in combination to treat the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in 91 developing countries.
Senator Wyden in 2012, on access to the TPP text
In 2012, as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Ron Wyden was a strong advocate for providing the public with access to the TPP negotiating text. Now, as Chairman, the Senator has been silent on the public’s right to the text. This is an example of Wyden in 2012. Has his position changed?
Timestamp and notes on Wyden comments on need for transparency in TPP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUYCSSdhEC8
WIPO General Assembly 2014: Hard Decisions on the Broadcast Treaty and work program on copyright limitations and exceptions
In the piece, WIPO General Assembly 2014: Hard Decisions on the Design Law Treaty and Treaty for Protection of Genetic Resources (22 July 2014), KEI highlighted the hard decisions awaiting the WIPO General Assembly (22 September 2014 to 30 September 2014) with respect to the Design Law Treaty, the imminent revision of the Lisbon Agreement to include geographical indications and WIPO’s work to conclude an instrument for the protection of genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore. Continue Reading
13 May 2014: WHO Technical Consultation on Innovative Models for New Antibiotics’ Development and Preservation
In a concerted bid to contain the emerging threat posed by antibiotic resistance, in May 2014, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 67th World Health Assembly (WHA) passed WHA resolution 67.25 on “Antimicrobial resistance” instructing the WHO to “develop a global action plan to combat antimicrobial resistance” by May 2015 (Source: WHO page on Draft Global action plan on antimicrobial resistance). Continue Reading
TDR and the Pooled Fund for R&D: WHO demonstration projects and CEWG follow-up
In May 2014, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 67th World Health Assembly (WHA67) passed decision WHA67(15) setting the stage for the creation of a new pooled funding mechanism for R&D. Continue Reading
OMB’s Revised Guidance on Appointment of Lobbyists to Federal Advisory Committees, Boards, and Commissions
Following litigation by several lobbyists, OMB is revising its guidance on the appointment of lobbyists to federal advisory committees, boards, and commissions. Now, lobbyists can serve on these committees, including the USTR advisory boards. Money quote:
Gilead’s US patient access programs for Sovaldi
This is a note on Gilead run or funded programs that are available for patients residing in the United States.
Recently, Gilead’s new hepatitis C drug, Sovaldi, has received much attention and criticism for its high price of $1000 a day.