By TIOL News Service

GENEVA, MAY 24, 2017: THE World Intellectual Property Organization and its partner BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH) established the initiative in 2011 to boost the use of intellectual property in catalyzing innovation and product development for ailments affecting more than one billion people. WIPO has now 126 members in 35 countries and has established 112 collaborations across the globe.

The new plan, unveiled during WIPO’s biennial meeting May 23, 2017, in Geneva, will guide the public-private consortium’s activities through 2021 and includes new research, capacity building and outreach efforts.

"Neglected tropical diseases, malaria, and tuberculosis are devastating conditions that disproportionately affect the poorest and most disadvantaged among us," said WIPO Director General Francis Gurry. "WIPO believes that IP is a powerful tool for stimulating innovation and is our principal effort to ensure that IP supports advances in global health research," he said.

Rich allows organizations to share their intellectual property, compounds, expertise, facilities and know-how royalty-free with qualified researchers worldwide.

The new strategic plan seeks to ensure that WIPO harnesses new research and development trends in global health, while contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

As the implementing partner, BVGH will seek a more process-driven and targeted partnership-development approach to link research and development programs with gaps in research, taking into consideration the impact of the disease on people’s lives.