Recent news
October 2011
Intellectual property group and WHO to launch new database to accelerate research for neglected diseases
October 24, 2011 -- The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced a partnership to launch a new research and development (R&D) database to share intellectual property for neglected disease licenses. The database also includes partners from the private sector and foundations. The hope is that R&D for developing countries will increase if common ground can be found between the mission of the global health community and the needs of private companies.
The project, titled Re:Search, is scheduled to launch on October 26, at which point more details will be unveiled about the database. It will aim to better serve least-developed countries by fostering R&D on medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics for neglected diseases, malaria and tuberculosis (TB) through increased availability of intellectual property to researchers. Neglected diseases will include Chagas disease, dengue fever, human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and many others. The project will also help facilitate partnerships by maintaining a “partnership hub” managed by GHTC member BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH) to help educate and connect members.
According to reports, the consortium will be managed by WIPO along with a governance board of participants. BVGH is a cosponsor for the consortium.
