WTO TRIPS Council: India and South Africa submit draft decision text on a waiver from certain provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the prevention, containment and treatment of COVID-19.

On Friday, 2 October 2020, the World Trade Organization (WTO) published a joint submission by India and South Africa on a draft decision text to the WTO TRIPS Council on a waiver from certain provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for… Continue Reading

China blocks Wikimedia Foundation’s application to become an observer at WIPO

On Wednesday, 23 September 2020, China blocked Wikimedia Foundation’s application to become an observer at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). At this week’s General Assembly, the WIPO was poised to accept the applications of thirteen organization including Wikimedia Foundation… Continue Reading

Research Mandates

KEI Research Note: 2020-4: The current and potential role of biomedical research mandates 2020 The current and potential role of biomedical research mandates. Progress in biomedical research depends upon funding. This funding comes from a variety of public sector, non-profit… Continue Reading

Italy undertakes bold measures on transparency by adopting the Pricing and Reimbursement Decree

On Friday, 24 July 2020, Italy officially published the long-anticipated Pricing and Reimbursement Decree in the Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana setting in motion Italy’s place as the first country to implement the WHO transparency resolution (WHA72.8). In statement before… Continue Reading

Joint letter to Dr. Fauci at NIAID, regarding the geographic scope of RNAceuticals HIV patent license, asks that exclusivity not extend to countries with low and moderate incomes

Below is a letter from several individuals and groups, asking that NIAID not grant exclusive rights in a HIV patent license for South Africa, India and other low income countries. (PDF version here) The license is to RNAceuticals, a firm… Continue Reading

WTO TRIPS Council (July 2020): South Africa’s submission on IP and the Public Interest – Beyond Access to Medicines and Medical Technologies towards a more Holistic Approach to TRIPS Flexibilities

On Friday, 17 July 2020, South Africa submitted a paper to the World Trade Organization (WTO) TRIPS Council entitled, Intellectual Property and the Public Interest: Beyond Access to Medicines and Medical Technologies Towards a More Holistic Approach To TRIPS Flexibilities.… Continue Reading