Category Innovation/ R&D

Health Research Colloquium Calls On Countries To Invest More In R&D

During the recent Council on Health Research for Development (COHRED) Colloquium 2013, participants highlighted the value of research and development in supporting public health and the importance of building self-reliance for countries through government investment, according to organisers. Some of the themes discussed during the event will be included in a report on public health policy, which will be published in The Lancet later this year.

WIPO Hails India’s Accession To Trademark System; India Advocates Balance

A full room of country delegates and ambassadors gathered yesterday to celebrate the accession of India to the Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks at the World Intellectual Property Organization. However, beyond the joy of accession, the recent decision of the Indian Supreme Court on a Novartis drug patent loomed in the room.

North American Universities Seen Failing To Promote Socially Responsible Licensing

A student group is holding top research universities in the US and Canada accountable for how much they are – or are not – contributing to global public health. According to a recently released report by Universities Allied for Essential Medicines, a non-profit organisation, most institutions are falling short when it comes to investing in neglected diseases and promoting access to medicines.

Rachel Marusak Hermann
April 5, 2013

The Judgment In Novartis v. India: What The Supreme Court Of India Said

Following the Indian Supreme Court decision in Novartis AG v. Union of India, Prof. Frederick Abbott says, "the judgment is well-crafted, with close attention to the facts presented, and appears to take a balanced view of the matters brought before the Court."

Linguistic Diversity Essential For Innovation, Development, Roundtable Speakers Say

Multilingualism not only expands cultural horizons but also provides a tool for innovation, speakers gathered at an international roundtable yesterday said. However, language uniformity is a tempting road taken by many - often for cost-related reasons - while multilingualism should be promoted as a factor in development, they said.

Catherine Saez
April 4, 2013

Australian Pharmaceutical Patents Review Draft Report Critical Of Patent Extensions, R&D Funding

The Australian Pharmaceutical Patents Review yesterday issued its draft report, recommending that the Australian government reduce pharmaceutical patent extension terms and use estimated savings to subsidise research and development.

Kelly Burke
April 3, 2013

Obama Announces Multi-Million Dollar Research Initiative To Study Human Brain

US President Obama today announced a broad new research initiative to map, explore, and better understand the human brain while finding ways to treat brain-related diseases.

Kelly Burke
April 2, 2013

Novartis Loses Patent Bid: Lessons From India’s 3(d) Experience

New Delhi - On 1 April, in a packed room in India’s Supreme Court, two judges - Justice Aftab Alam and Justice Ranjana Desai - delivered a verdict that has the potential to dramatically change the national and global conversation about patents and patients.

Singapore Reveals 10-Year Plan To Be Global IP Hub

The Government of Singapore today has revealed a set of initiatives it plans to implement over the next decade to further develop the country as an intellectual property hub.

Kelly Burke
April 1, 2013

East African Community Doubles Efforts To Boost Local Pharmaceutical Production

Arusha, Tanzania – Pharmaceutical manufacturers in East Africa have joined forces to strengthen their production capacity to meet at least half of the region’s demand for affordable, quality medicines. The East African Community is supporting this ambitious goal through various initiatives, including a regional intellectual property policy to guide partner states on developing national legislation that fosters local pharmaceutical production.

Rachel Marusak Hermann
March 28, 2013

Report Analyses Fast-Track Green Patent Applications

A new report finds that an overview is needed of the fast-tracking patent system on “green” technologies in the countries where this mechanism is in place – in seven industrialised and two developing countries.

Tiphaine Nunzia Caulier
March 28, 2013

Royalty-Setting For Standard Essential Patents Might Be Balanced By Prospect Of Injunction, Speakers Say

Threats of injunction in cases of infringement of essential standard patents, which have raised concerns in Europe and the United States as being leverage for patent holders to get higher royalties, might in fact be a way to maintain an equilibrium in royalty-setting, according to speakers at a World Intellectual Property Organization event.

Catherine Saez
March 28, 2013