U.S. Army/Sanofi Zika Vaccine Collaboration Timeline and Update

Posted on by Zack Struver

Today I published a timeline on the collaboration between Sanofi and the U.S. Army regarding the development of a vaccine for the Zika virus.

One major issue that we have raised is on the price of the Zika Vaccine. KEI and other groups have asked the Army to ensure that Sanofi does not charge U.S. taxpayers a higher price than in other high-income countries. This is not a remote concern. Recently, we published a blog showing that Sanofi charges Americans four to eight times more for its MS drug Aubagio (teriflunomide) compared to other high-income countries. If Sanofi refuses to agree to a reasonable pricing provision, then we know that Sanofi wants to keep open the option of charging the United States the highest price in the world for a drug funded by American taxpayers.

The timeline provides the dates of several key events, such as the filing of patent applications, the dates of the Army/Sanofi CRADA and grants from BARDA, the signing of the Principles of Collaboration with the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), the publication of Federal Register notices on the intent of the Army to grant exclusive licenses on patents, responses by patient and public interest groups, the New York Times op-ed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and the response by Dr. Elias Zerhouni on behalf of Sanofi, and the letter from members of the House of Representatives.
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Experts, NGOs ask WHA delegates to support feasibility study of funding cancer research without high prices

Posted on by KEI Staff

On May 3, 2017, 29 civil society organizations and 33 health professionals, activists, and economists — including Nobel Prize laureate Joseph Stiglitz — asked delegates to the World Health Assembly (WHA) to support a feasibility study on the progressive delinkage of the costs of research and development from the price of cancer medicines. The groups and experts sent a letter to the delegates.

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SCCR 34 Discussions on Limitations and Exceptions for people with other disabilities

Posted on by Manon Ress

May 4, 2017 SCCR 34 Discussion on Limitations and Exceptions for people with other disabilities

If the final text of the Marrakesh Treaty had included Article 15(b) of the 1st version of the treaty negotiating text (SCCR/18/5) that would have clearly covered “other disabilities”, we would not have had the morning discussion.

Here is what had been drafted with the approval of an inclusive group of disabilities experts:

ARTICLE 15. DISABILITIES COVERED

(a) For the purposes of this Treaty, a ‘visually impaired’ person is:

a person who is blind; or
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SCCR 34 Chair’s proposal regarding the committee’s work on L&E and member states comments

Posted on by Manon Ress

SCCR 34 May 3. Chair’s proposal regarding the committee’s work on L&E and member states comments

In brief:

  • The Chair supports an update of the Crews Study
  • The Chair proposes a seminar or conference with multidisciplinary approach to L&Es in the digital environment (instead of separated “silos” such as are now L&Es for Libraries and Education

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SCCR 34 NGOs on Limitations and Exceptions for libraries and archives

Posted on by Manon Ress

May 3, 2017 AM Session. SCCR 34 Limitations and Exceptions for libraries and archives

NGOs statements

IFLA presented its proposal for future work:

  • a draft model law
  • an updated searchable database of exceptions and limitations for libraries, archives and museums
  • a study on issues related to limitations and exceptions for libraries, archives and museums and a cross-border context including digital uses.

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SCCR 34 Update on Progress of Broadcasting, Cablecasting and Webcasting Treaty Progress (or lack thereof?)

Posted on by Manon Ress

5:55pm Plenary May 2, 2017 We were told there will be no time for NGOs to make statements.

The Chair started the Plenary at 5:55 pm or 5 minutes before the meeting was to clse for the day.

In brief:

  • No recommendation to the GA for a Diplomatic Conference in 2018 (not ready for prime time).
  • The Chair’s text is being replaced by a “committee Text”.
  • The EU is not happy.
  • The broadcasting treaty has stalled. Again.

Here is the transcript of what we can share:

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SCCR 34 May 2, 2017 Short update

Posted on by Manon Ress

Just like since yesterday afternoon, the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights has convened in informal. Some members of delegations and NGOs are staying in the main room and are listening to the discussions but cannot participate nor report on anything that is being said.

It is frustrating of course but it looks as if it will be the “new process of negotiation” for the time being. As one person said to me “secret negotiations regarding broadcasting, cablecasting and webcasting at WIPO? what could go wrong?”

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