Home › UC STUDENT CAMPAIGN BUILDS FOR SYSTEMWIDE RATIFICATION OF LICENSING REFORM

UC STUDENT CAMPAIGN BUILDS FOR SYSTEMWIDE RATIFICATION OF LICENSING REFORM

Submitted by WPimport on Mon, 02/23/2009 - 15:25
in

Dozens of medical, graduate, law, and undergraduate students gathered at UCLA this weekend to organize and plan for a formal presentation by University Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM) to a system-wide panel in March.

UAEM, an international campaign of students, healthcare providers and patient advocates, lobbied UC Presidents Dynes and Yudof to enact a Global Access License for UC's medical innovations. Currently, UC's patenting and licensing systems prioritize the sale of publicly-financed innovations with regard for neither the number of patients affected nor the availability of therapies in developing countries. UAEM's Global. Access License would change that outcome, with little to no impact on the UC's and its licensees' bottom lines.

"We're eager to continue the conversation at the TTAC, because we're aware of the need, and the ability, of the UC to enact responsible licensing policies. We're the top biotech patenter on earth, and our inventions are relevant to the entire globe," UCSF medical student Connie Chen said. "The UC campaign stretches from Berkeley to San Diego, and is active at those schools and Davis, San Francisco, Riverside, Irvine, Los Angeles, and Hastings."

In December, President Yudof invited UAEM to formally present its proposal to the system-wide Technology Transfer Advisory Committee. UAEM's members have lobbied the TTAC's members, including Vice Chancellors, Provosts, and professors, in addition to offering President Yudof the signatures of thousands of students, faculty, and allies who endorse the GAL.

"Working in UC labs makes us certain that the UC's innovations are globally relevant. The Global Access License makes that happen," Taylor Gilliland, a UCSD Ph.D. student observed. "Over three years of presentations, lectures, negotiations, and meetings have led to this point," Gilliland added. "From the response we've gotten across the state, we know this is a reform Bruins, Golden Bears, Aggies, and Tritons all support."

UAEM will present its policy reform to the TTAC on March 12, at the UC Office of the President in Oakland.

UAEM's proposals have been endorsed by scientists and healthcare professionals, including ten Nobel laureates, throughout the University of California and leading research institutions in the US, Europe, Asia, and Africa.