WHO event to consider drug R&D joint ventures in developing countries

The Inter-Governmental Working Group of the World Health Organization has issued its provisional agenda for a session on a draft global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property. The report, to be discussed at the next IGWG meeting on November 5-10, considers three approaches for new drug R&D priority setting.

One of the options being considered by the IGWG involves a collaboration between drugmakers in developing countries and public sector research organizations. According to the New Dehli, India-based Business Standard, the move comes as several local drug companies, with significant turnover in the generic medicines sector, have shifted resources to in-house R&D.

25 Indian firms are interested in R&D collaboration