Today The Lancet Commission on Essential Medicines Policies published the 74 page report on “Essential Medicines for Universal Health Coverage.” A copy is available here.
The report is rich in data, analysis and recommendations. The report endorses the delinking of R&D costs from drug prices:
Delinking R&D costs from the price of medicines
Kite Pharma, Inc., which is racing Juno Therapeutics and Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis to successfully bring the first T-cell receptor (TCR) therapy to market, relies heavily on government support in the course of its research and development.
As noted previously by KEI, in various comments to the National Institutes of Health, the NIH rarely discloses detailed information on its connections with industry, raising concerns about how the NIH licenses out taxpayer-funded technologies without regard for future prices or access for U.S. residents.
For a selected bibliography of news stories on Kite’s relationship with the National Cancer Institute, see here: /node/2644.
T-cell receptor therapy is the latest breakthrough in cancer treatment, and involves modifying a patient’s own cells to better track and destroy cancer proteins, and then reintroducing them into the body. (The NIH has a concise description for non-scientists here.)
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| Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg is the Principal Investigator for the National Cancer Institute on Kite’s 2012 CRADA. Dr. Rosenberg mentored Kite CEO and co-Founder Dr. Arie Belldegrun, and is also listed as a “Special Advisor” to Kite on their website. | Partnership for Public Service / Aaron Clamage |
According to Kite’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Kite has secured three Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) with the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In exchange for quarterly cash payments, the NCI conducts clinical trials and laboratory work on many of its own patented technologies, with the understanding that Kite will have the rights to commercialize any successful products developed through the CRADA.
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On Wednesday, 5 October 2016, Knowledge Ecology International (KEI) delivered the following intervention at the inaugural Marrakesh Treaty Assembly.
5 October 2016
It is an important achievement for WIPO to have embraced the Marrakesh Treaty, and addressed and corrected the barriers that copyright presented for access to culture and knowledge, for persons who are blind or have other disabilities.
On Wednesday, 5 October 2016, Knowledge Ecology International delivered the following intervention on the agenda item concerning the Report of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR).
Agenda item 11: Report on the SCCR
244 words
Thank you Chair.
Congratulations to Sylvie Forbin, the highly qualified new DDG for the Copyright and Creative Industries Sector.
KEI welcomes the entry into force of the Marrakesh Treaty, and look forward to additional work at WPO to expand access to knowledge and knowledge based goods.
On Monday, 3 October 2016, Bangladesh delivered the following opening statement on behalf of the LDC Group at the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) General Assembly.
General Statement on behalf of the LDC Group at the 56th Session of the Assemblies of the Member states of WIPO
[3 October 2016]
Delivered by Ambassador H.E. Mr. M Shameem Ahsan,
Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations
( Suggested time: 5 minutes)Mr. President,
Director General,
Distinguished representatives,
Good morning.WIPO General Assembly 2016: Opening statement of Chile on behalf of the Group of Latin and the Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
On Monday, 3 October 2016, Chile delivered the following opening statement on behalf of the Group of Latin and the Caribbean Group (GRULAC) at the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) General Assembly.
In relation to copyright limitations and exceptions, GRULAC noted:
Summary of Report of United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines
On September 14, 2016, the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines released its report, in which they had a mandate to “review and assess proposals and recommend solutions for remedying the policy incoherence between the justifiable rights of inventors, international human rights law, trade rules and public health in the context of health technologies.”[1]
Vivendi-SFR lobbyist nominated to WIPO
Vivendi-SFR lobbyist nominated to WIPO by Hervé Le Crosnier
On July 14, 2016, the former Vivendi-SFR lobbyist Sylvie Forbin was named Deputy Director General of the WIPO “Culture and Creative Industries Sector” (the World Intellectual Property Organization is a United Nations agency). Incidentally the new name of the Sector, “Copyright and Creative Industries,” is revealing of her future professional activities.Letter from 56 non-profits and experts to Secretary of State John Kerry on pressure on global access to medicines initiatives
20 July 2016
For Immediate ReleaseContacts
Knowledge Ecology International: Zack Struver, zack.struver@keionline.org, +1 (202) 332-2670
Public Citizen: Peter Maybarduk, pmaybarduk@citizen.org, +1 (202) 588-7755Public Health, Human Rights, and Faith Organizations Question State Department Pressure Against Global Access to Medicines Initiatives
Evidence shows pattern of interference in national and international efforts to improve access to affordable medicines, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF USA), Knowledge Ecology International, Public Citizen, Oxfam, and other leading public interest groups.
Washington, DC — More than 50 public interest organizations and experts asked Secretary of State John Kerry today to explain evidence that the State Department recently pressured the United Nations and the governments of Colombia and India against taking action to improve access to affordable medicines, citing U.S. business interests and implying that relations with Washington would suffer.
Continue ReadingFrancis Gurry appoints Sylvie Forbin, lobbyist for Vivendi, as new head of copyright at WIPO
as PDF.