[Ip-health] BIO paper on incentives for innovation for neglected diseases

[Manon Ress]

Incentives to Develop Medicines for Neglected Diseases Highlighted at
2008 BIO International Convention
http://www.pharmalive.com/News/index.cfm?articleid=550204&categoryid=63

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 18, 2008 - The Biotechnology Industry
Organization (BIO) announced today the release of a paper outlining
incentives to encourage innovation for neglected diseases. The paper,
written by BIO's health economist Ted Buckley, PhD, is being released
during the 2008 BIO International Convention, taking place June 17-20,
2008 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif.

"Neglected diseases are a scourge of the developing world and the
biotechnology industry holds great promise for producing medicines
that will ultimately alleviate suffering and save lives," said Jim
Greenwood, BIO president and CEO. "By analyzing the advantages and
challenges of the various proposed incentives, we can engage in a
discussion that will ultimately lead to market-based changes."

The paper, titled, "Ideas to Encourage Innovation for Diseases without
a Market," lays out incentives that have been proposed to encourage
companies to engage in R&D for neglected diseases along with
advantages and challenges associated with the different ideas.
Incentives highlighted in the paper include advanced market
commitments, tax incentives for R&D, priority review vouchers,
transferable exclusivity, prizes and Track II patents.

Coinciding with the 2008 BIO International Convention, there will also
be a "Think and Drink" discussion on pharmaceutical prizes and whether
or not they can incentivize the market. The discussion will be held
Thursday, June 19 from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. and is being led by Greg
Simon of Faster Cures, whose mission is to identify and implement
global solutions to accelerate the process of discovery and clinical
development of new therapies for the treatment of deadly and
debilitating diseases.

The BIO International Convention highlights how biotechnology, the
life sciences, investments, policy, and the international community
work together to heal, fuel, and feed the world.

The BIO International Convention helps to support the association's
programs and initiatives. BIO works throughout the year to create a
policy environment that enables the industry to continue to fulfill
its vision of bettering the world through biotechnology innovation.
For more information on the global event for biotechnology, please
visit www.bio2008.org.

A copy of the paper can be accessed at http://www.bio.org/images/issues/06102008.pdf
. A podcast interview with Dr. Buckley discussing his paper can be
accessed at www.biotech-now.org. Also check out BIO's event blog at www.bioontheroad.org
.


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Manon Ress
manon.ress@keionline.org,

1621 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20009 USA
Tel.:  +1.202.332.2670, Fax: +1.202.332.2673