macro normal female mosquito isolated on green leaf.

Climate Change and Neglected Tropical Diseases: Key Takeaways from the WHO-WIPO-WTO Trilateral Symposium

By Aparajita Lath*

The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), hosted the 10th Trilateral Symposium on Human Health and Climate Change in Geneva this November. This article reflects the significant effort made to put climate-sensitive diseases, many of which are neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), at the forefront of these talks.

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Bill of Health - silhouette of COVID-19 vaccine vile held in front of company logos, cooperation and antitrust in vaccine production

Unlocking the mRNA Platform Technology: Walking the Talk with Investment Protection

By Aparajita Lath

Two articles published last month in the BMJ analyze the public investment and financing of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, highlighting the extensive government funding that has supported the development of mRNA technology from 1985 to 2022.

However, rewards from these government investments are going back into the hands of pharma corporations and shareholders, with little thought given to public needs.

Together, these articles underscore the injustice of the present moment and emphasize the need to reform intellectual property protections for government-funded inventions of public health significance.

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handmade wooden chess board, two pawns face off.

FTC’s Proposed Non-Compete Rule: A Step in the Right Direction for Health Care and Biotechnology

By Aparajita Lath

In January, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a new draft rule that would categorically ban non-compete clauses — contractual terms between an employer and an employee that prevent subsequent employment at a competing firm — across the country.

Banning non-compete clauses may help to promote competition and innovation in biotechnology and health care.

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Grayslake, IL - January 30, 2021: Drive-through indoor COVID-19 vaccination facility at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. The facility is dispensing both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine.

COVID-19 Vaccine Patent Infringement? The Battle Between Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech Continues

By Aparajita Lath

Last month, the patent battle between COVID-19 mRNA vaccine manufacturers continued with BioNTech/Pfizer filing a strong defense and counter-claim to Moderna’s allegations of patent infringement.

In their initial August 2022 complaint, Moderna alleged that three of its mRNA patents were infringed by Pfizer/BioNTech. Interestingly, as of January 12, 2023, Moderna has listed 10 patents covering Spikevax (its mRNA vaccine) on its website. Since biotechnology inventions can be covered by several patents, each of which may not be easy to identify through public searches, the decision to publish a consolidated list of patents is a move in the right direction. However, the list is an evolving one, and, as it happens, one of three patents at issue, i.e., patent no. 10,933,127 (‘127) has not been listed.

The following article explains the key patents at stake in the intellectual property dispute.

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Single strand ribonucleic acid.

The Secret World of mRNA: HDT Bio Corp v. Emcure and Access to Next-Gen mRNA

By Aparajita Lath

The future of public health in an “RNA world” is on trial in a trade secrecy dispute worth $950 million currently being fought before the District Court of the Western District of Washington, Seattle between HDT Bio Corp. and Emcure Pharmaceuticals.

The trade secrets at issue concern an improvement over existing mRNA technology called “self-amplifying RNA” or “saRNA.” saRNA are effective at much smaller doses and lower costs. The saRNA technology is being used to develop vaccines for COVID, Zoster, Zika and Rabies.

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Person in protective yellow hazmat suit and mask holds pills in hands.

Book Review: ‘The Truth Pill: The Myth of Drug Regulation in India’

By Aparajita Lath

The Truth Pill, authored by Dinesh Thakur and Prashant Reddy, is a monumental work that convincingly shows that drug regulation is but a myth in India.

In their investigative style, the authors explain drug regulation in India through the lens of history, both Indian and global. The book’s combination of history and contemporary issues makes for an immersive and compelling read. It may, however, leave you feeling frightened, given the dysfunctional regulatory system in India and the impact this can have on patients around the world. However, the book not only highlights problems but also offers several well-thought-out and actionable paths to reform.

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Grassy field with white picket fence encircling it.

Accessing COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines for Research: The Re-emergence of the Tragedy of the ‘Anticommons’

By Aparajita Lath

Some COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers in the US have refused to share vaccine samples for research purposes, creating an access issue with the potential to delay comparator studies, follow-on research, and new vaccine / drug development.

This issue may be the latest example of the tragedy of the “anticommons” in biomedical research.

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