Guidelines for the Licensing of Genetic Inventions

Biotechnology and genetics research have been the subject of extensive investment by both the public and private sectors, with the resulting products and processes making a significant and increasing contribution to human health and health care. Biotechnological, including genetic, innovations have been the subject of intellectual property rights for many years.

Over the last decade, as the number of such innovations has increased, their impact on health care has grown substantially. Recently, some governments, patient groups and healthcare providers have become concerned about how certain genetic inventions have, in certain circumstances, been licensed and exploited, particularly for diagnostic genetic services in the human health care field. In order to address these concerns, OECD member countries agreed to Guidelines for the Licensing of Genetic Inventions used in health care.

The Guidelines set out principles and best practices for those in business, research and health systems who enter into license agreements for genetic inventions used for the purpose of human health care. They are targeted at those involved with innovation and the provision of services in health, and particularly at those involved in the licensing of such inventions. Overall, the Guidelines seek to foster the objectives of stimulating genetic research and innovation while maintaining appropriate access to health products and services.

Collaborative Mechanisms

Recently, both industry and governments have considered factors and mechanisms for encouraging collaboration amongst diverse interests in order to stimulate innovation, foster R&D and promote access and diffusion of technology and information.

Previously, some collaborative mechanisms have been employed within other areas, such as information technology. However, there is increasing consideration and discussion about their potential use within the life sciences. Although the discussion of using such mechanisms in the life sciences is fairly recent, certain organizations have recommended that governments, the public sector and the private sector consider the development and use of collaborative mechanisms, within the life sciences and the field of biotechnology.

The organizations that have made such recommendations include the Australian Law Reform Commission, the Canadian Expert Working Party on Human Genetic Materials, Intellectual Property and the Health Sector (Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee), the United States National Academies of Science (US), and the OECD. Consideration of these types of mechanisms is also occurring within the private sector, wherein companies, such as Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline and Affymetrix, are also studying the use of such mechanisms for fostering innovation. A high-level roundtable was organized with experts from diverse backgrounds and experiences including private sector, public sector, finance, biotechnology/pharmaceutical/science, management, legal (IP, anti-trust/ competition), research/academia, etc.

Generally, the roundtable focused on the diverse types of collaborative mechanisms and the manner in which they may be employed to facilitate access to and use of biotechnological innovations for purposes of research, commercialization and the provision of products/services. An analytical report is in publication that draws on the roundtable discussion and provides an overview of the issues pertaining to collaborative mechanisms and their application in the life sciences.

Edge2Edge Global Marketing, Distribution and Manufacturing Rights

The Management of Edge2Edge Global realize that they would not be able to feed the world on their own. Manufacturing, Marketing and Distribution rights are available from March 2009. Individuals, groups, or Companies that are interested in Marketing or Manufacturing the Nutrition Combo pack can request more information from the links below.

1. Manufacturing Rights

2. Marketing and Distribution Rights