[Random-bits] President of AUTM disassociates AUTM from IPI letter on IGWG

[James Love]

Jon Soderstrom, the President of AUTM, has just sent out an
extraordinary missive disassociating AUTM from the IPI letter on IGWG.


[My earlier Huffpo article on this topic was here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-love/university-patent-manager_b_97592.html]

KEI's comment is as follows:  "The AUTM leadership has taken a
commendable, although rather late action, to disassociate itself from a
misleading, offensive and ill considered industry funded attack on the
WHO IGWG process.  As explained by the AUTM president, Jon Soderstrom,
Universities have social missions, and many of the leading figures in
the University community have worked hard to find new ways to address
the gaps in R&D and access in developing countries.  It would have been
appropriate for AUTM to be supporting calls for an R&D Treaty, or the
use of new approaches like prizes to simulate R&D, in order to find more
sustainable ways of promoting both innovation and access to medicines.
But at least three days before the formal start of the IGWG negotiations
in Geneva, AUTM has responded to criticism of its earlier actions. The
letter from Soderstrom, the President of AUTM, sets a constructive tone.
UAEM, KEI, MSF, and influential persons in the academic community from a
number of universities did quite a bit behind the scenes to bring about
this change of heart."

Jamie
 

From: AUTM Headquarters [mailto:info@mmsend.com] On Behalf Of AUTM
Headquarters
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 8:36 PM
Subject: Important Announcement from AUTM

Dear AUTM member:

I want to apologize for a serious miscommunication on our part. The
recent note in the bi-weekly update concerning the Institute for Policy
Innovation's (IPI) open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO)
should not have been included as written. As written, it could be read
as an endorsement by AUTM of the positions espoused by IPI with respect
to the WHO negotiations. That would be incorrect. The AUTM Board did not
take any action to either endorse IPI's position or sign onto the open
letter. 

I believe there is in fact a widespread concern among the AUTM
membership about access to medicines in less-developed countries. This
concern reflects the fact that the principal goal of universities in
technology transfer is the improvement of human welfare. Many
universities have pursued innovative approaches to making
university-owned inventions available in developing countries, and
without a doubt more will do so in the future. 

AUTM supports and applauds the creativity and commitment shown by
universities. As President of AUTM I can assure you that AUTM is not
opposing the exploration of innovative mechanisms nor opposing an open
discussion of policies that could lead to important new approaches to
research and development for neglected diseases. AUTM in fact, seeks to
encourage dialog that includes representation from all stakeholders to
ensure the best possible outcome for all parties. As a professional
association we seek to draw attention to issues such as these and
encourage broad discussion. AUTM leadership, represented by Janna Tom,
Vice President for Public Policy, has been has been an active
participant in WHO discussions on this topic. 

Many members of AUTM, myself included, are working hard to promote
better access to drugs for the world's poorest populations. We hope that
national and international policies will continue to permit institutions
to select from a broad array of strategies in determining the approach
that will work best in specific circumstances. 

The AUTM leadership is guiding the association in the direction of
taking concrete steps to adopt policies regarding the funding and
licensing of basic science research that serve the global public good
and ensure access alongside innovation. The AUTM Board of Trustees and
many of AUTM's members have signed and actively endorsed "The Nine
Points to Consider in Licensing University Technology." If you have not
already signed onto these principles, we encourage to review them and
consider joining us. In particular, I call your attention to "Point 9"
which states:

"Consider including provisions that address unmet needs, such as those
of neglected patient populations or geographic areas, giving particular
attention to improved therapeutics, diagnostics and agricultural
technologies for the developing world." 

In addition, AUTM's Better World Project serves to illustrate the role
of technology transfer and the benefits of academic research to
society. 

The mission of AUTM is to advance the field of technology transfer, and
enhance our ability to bring the benefits of academic and nonprofit
research to people around the world. In keeping with that mission I hope
that you and many others from our global community will continue to
explore solutions to enhancing global health. 

Sincerely,

Jon Soderstrom, Ph.D. 
AUTM President
-- 
_____________________________
James Love, Knowledge Ecology International (KEI)
http://www.keionline.org, mailto:james.love@keionline.org
voice +1.202.332.2670, fax +1.202.332.2673, US mobile +1.202.361.3040, Geneva mobile +41.76.413.6584

When everyone thinks the same, no one thinks.  Bill Walton remix of Walter Lippmann