EKARIN APIRAKTHANAKORN / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Non-profit organisation I-MAK is attempting to expose the problem at the heart of the patent system—that too often drug patents are wrongfully granted and consequently sick people in poorer countries are being left untreated. LSIPR delves deeper into the issues.
The 2013 film “Dallas Buyers Club” touched many with its story about HIV/AIDS. So powerful was the account of Ron Woodroof’s attempt to bring affordable drugs to AIDS patients in Texas that the film generated critical acclaim.
Woodroof’s story resonates today. In August, a former student called Greg Jefferys compared himself to the Texan in an article published by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He began importing Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) from Chennai in India to Australia, as he argued the drug was more affordable in the Asian country.
Central to both Woodroof’s and Jefferys’ story is the quest to bring affordable drugs to market for people who desperately need them. In a similar fashion, US-based not-for-profit organisation the Initiative for Medicines, Access & Knowledge (I-MAK) has opposed one of two patent applications for Gilead’s drug Sovaldi on the grounds it is invalid. What motivates I-MAK, which has filed challenges in several jurisdictions, is a drive to bring down the cost of Sovaldi, a treatment for people suffering with hepatitis C.
Life Sciences Intellectual Property Review (LSIPR) tracks the increasing challenges for intellectual property specialists in the rapidly evolving world of life sciences. From gene patents to stem cell research, we provide the very best news and analysis.
To continue reading this article and to access 4,500+ articles, our digital magazines and special reports published for LSIPR subscribers only then you will need a subscription.
If you are already subscribed please login.
Official LSIPR subscribers include:
Allen & Overy
Arnold & Siedsma
Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch LLP (BSKB)
Carpmaels & Ransford
Cooley
European Patent Office
Finnegan LLP
GH Research
Gowling WLG
George Washington Law School
HGF Limited
IQVIA
Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
Marks & Clerk
Mintz Levin
NiKang Therapeutics Inc.
Powell Gilbert LLP
Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP
Taylor Wessing
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Valea AB
World Intellectual Property Office
For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription we can add you into for FREE, please contact Atif at achoudhury@newtonmedia.co.
If you have any technical issues please email tech support.
HIV/AIDS, Solvadi, EPO, SIPO. I-MAK, Solvadi, patent, patent licensing, Gilead
