WHO Expert Group to Recommend Binding R&D Treaty Negotiation

A World Health Organization expert group has narrowed proposals under consideration for ways to finance research and development for diseases predominately affecting poor populations. Among the remaining recommendations is that WHO members launch negotiations for a binding treaty...

...The group decided that six out of 15 proposals under consideration best fit the agreed criteria of the group, according to slides of 18 November presentation. The six are: a globally binding instrument for R&D and innovation for health; direct grants to companies in developing countries; equitable licensing; patent pools; pooled funds; precompetitive R&D platforms / open source and access; and prizes. Few details are available on the latest versions of the proposals...