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BIO Board member Eddie J. Sullivan testified on the Hill yesterday about the impact an expanded IP waiver would have on innovative biotechs like SAb Biotherapeutics—we have a recap, as well as yesterday’s House vote to prohibit the use of QALYs in federal programs. (532 words, 2 minutes, 39 seconds) |
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BIO Board member on Capitol Hill: IP waiver would harm biotech innovation |
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Expanding the World Trade Organization (WTO) waiver of COVID intellectual property rights would hurt innovation—and the threat alone already impacts biotechs’ decisions, BIO Board Member Eddie J. Sullivan, President of SAB Biotherapeutics, told the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee yesterday.
The context: A waiver of IP rights for COVID diagnostics and therapeutics will be considered at the Feb. 26-29 WTO Ministerial. The Biden administration backed the vaccine waiver in 2022 but has not yet announced its position on expansion.
Speaking from experience: Sullivan is co-founder and president of SAB Biotherapeutics, whose platform “represents, for the first time, the ability to produce targeted, fully human, high potency polyclonal (antibody) therapies on a commercial scale.” They’re developing treatments for diabetes, cancer, and COVID-19.
Why it matters: SAB recently announced a major investment to advance a diabetes therapy. But disclosing a waiver of IP rights for the COVID portfolio would have put that at risk, Sullivan said, “because the waiver would have also exposed all COVID-19 associated IP assets which would have included our novel platform.”
What they’re saying:
“Such a move would be as harmful as it is illogical.” – Subcommittee Chair Adrian Smith (R-NE)
“I can’t think of anything more destructive than the TRIPS waiver for American innovation.” – Rep. Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC)
“As the world looks for treatments, it is the U.S. that continues to lead the way ... (enabled by) our intellectual property system.” – Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) What’s next: The U.S.’s position at the WTO is expected to influence the vote. Read more on Bio.News. Watch highlights from the hearing: |
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The Stanford Biodesign Policy Program is conducting a survey to explore the implications of current policies on the future of the biotechnology innovation ecosystem and patient care.
You are invited to contribute to this anonymous survey, which should take less than 10 minutes to complete. The results of the survey are intended for publication to help inform policymakers. All biotech investors, industry members, scientists, and innovators are invited to participate.
If you wish to add your voice to these results, click here to take the survey.
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QALYs discriminate – and House takes action on them
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The House passed legislation yesterday prohibiting federal programs from using a discriminatory measure of health care outcomes called “QALYs.”
What are QALYs? Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) attempt to quantify the value of a treatment by taking into account the duration of a person’s life and the quality of life they experience during that time.
Why are QALYs a problem? By giving greater value to years with no health challenges, QALYs discriminate against people with disabilities, says the National Council on Disability.
What they’re saying: “QALYs devalue the lives of older adults, people with disabilities and chronic conditions, and communities of color,” says the Alliance for Aging Research.
BIO’s view: “QALYs value the lives of some patients over others, making them inherently discriminatory. BIO lauds this legislation, which would prevent the use of QALYs in federal programs,” said Michele Oshman, BIO’s VP of External Affairs.
Legislation moves forward: H.R. 485, passed yesterday, would prohibit use of QALYs in federal programs. QALYs are already prohibited “in a limited fashion” in Medicare, says the House Energy & Commerce Committee. The bill is co-sponsored by E&C Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-MO), Rep. Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), and Rep. Brad Wenstrup, D.P.M. (R-OH). |
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