E-DRUG: UNITAID Statement on GSK-Pfizer merger
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UNITAID welcomes the creation of ViiV Healthcare, a joint venture
established by pharmaceutical companies GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer aiming to
improve access to HIV treatment. "In particular," said Dr Jorge Bermudez,
UNITAID's Executive Secretary, "we applaud the new venture's goal of being
collaborative. In that regard, we invite ViiV to enter into discussions with
us on ways in which they might contribute to the development of our patent
pool."
UNITAID is creating a patent pool to spur the generic production of
inexpensive AIDS medicines. The pool aims to ensure in particular that
combined therapies for children and medicines adapted to the needs of
patients in developing countries are made available at an affordable price
to all who need them. "A new pharmaceutical company working specifically on
AIDS treatment could be a crucial partner for us," added Jorge Bermudez. "We
will be contacting the CEO of ViiV, Dr Dominique Limet, in the next week, to
discuss potential areas of collaboration based on public health needs."
UNITAID - Medicines Patent Pool Initiative
20 Avenue Appia // 1211 Geneva 27 // Switzerland
Tel +41 22 791 3778 // Fax +41 22 791 4890
utdmppi@gmail.com // borolim@who.int // www.unitaid.eu
UNITAID Medicines Patent Pool Initiative <utdmppi@gmail.com>
What is a Patent Pool?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj0dbFgjoh4