Access to Essential Technologies

1. A Case Study: William H. Prusoff, Ph.D. and d4T • In 1988, Yale University licenses d4T, a highly effective HIV/ AIDS drug, to Bristol-Myers Squibb with no provisions for access in the developing world. • In 2001, Yale students and faculty protest their administration’s refusal to yield patent rights in Africa, even after a plea by MSF. • William Prusoff, a principal investigator on d4T, publicizes his support of socially conscious licensing for d4T: • “I once helped create a drug that could enable millions of people to lead better and longer lives.” • “[D]4T should be either cheap or free in sub-Saharan Africa.” • Dr. William Prusoff, the Principal Investigator for D4T as quoted in the op-ed, “The Scientist’s Story” he published in the NYT • on March 19, 2001. • Under pressure, the Yale administration and BMS allow generic competition in Africa. Treatment prices drop from more that $1600 to $55 per patient per year. • Yale experiences no loss of income and a subsequent major investment by Pfizer. Access to Essential Technologies Your research could make a difference in the lives of 10 million more people… • The Problem: • Ten million people die needlessly each year because they do not have access to existing medicines and vaccines • 30% of the world’s population still do not have regular access to essential medicines • Countless others suffer from neglected tropical diseases for which there is little financial incentive for drug development • Quick, World Health Organization 2005 • University Responsibility • A recent report found that 15 of the 21 drugs with the most therapeutic impact were derived from federally funded projects at academic centers • Senate Joint Economic Committee 2000 • Overall, universities are responsible for over half of the basic science research in the U.S. • National Science Foundation 2004 • What researchers can do: • Consider the social impacts of your research. • Talk to your Technology Transfer Officer about ways to include access provisions in your patent. • Read the Philadelphia Consensus Statement and sign our petition asking the UF administration to implement humanitarian licensing. • Advise UAEM on how to better accomplish our goals at UF and worldwide. • Why UF? • UF received nearly $519 million in research funding in 2006, more than half of it for biomedical research • UF Office of Technology Licensing • UF policies should reflect the “university’s commitment to lead and serve the state of Florida, the nation and the world by pursuing and disseminating new knowledge while building upon the experiences of the past. The University of Florida aspires to advance by strengthening the human condition and improving the quality of life.” • Purpose and Mission of the University of Florida • “As a large research university, the University of Florida has a responsibility to improve global access to public health goods they develop.” • UAEM UF mission statement • The Philadelphia Consensus Statement • The Philadelphia Consensus Statement (PCS) is a document stating that universities should commit to the following points: • 1. Promote equal access to research. • 2. Promote research and development for • neglected diseases. • 3. Measure research success according to • impact on human welfare. • The PCS has been signed by Nobel Laureates, professors, lawyers, and organizations- but UF will be the first university to sign on. • For More Information: • Universities Allied for Essential Medicines national website: www.essentialmedicine.org • UAEM UF website: http://uaemuf.wordpress.com/ • UAEM UF email: • uaem@grove.ufl.edu • WHO Essential Medicines information: • http://www.who.int/topics/essential_medicines/en/ • What else is UAEM doing? • Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM) is a national non-profit that works to determine how universities can help ensure that biomedical end products are made more accessible in poor countries. We also work to increase the amount of research conducted on neglected diseases. • Chapters at over 40 peer institutions including Harvard, John Hopkins and Stanford, are working together to reorganize their technology licensing policies to increase global access • We are working with PLoS to organize a database of neglected disease researchers and their work.