What Geopolitical Issue Are You Paying Closest Attention To?

A | I’D SAY THE RECENT DECLARATION OF UN DELEGATES requiring compulsory licensing of new TB drugs in countries where TB is a problem. Afflicted countries are battling this disease with limited public funds and have determined the best solution is to acquire new drugs without consent of the patent holder. They are joined by activist groups in public health and agencies like the WHO. Every new TB drug recently registered or in late clinical-stage development today was discovered and developed in a biopharma company. If compulsory licensing is how these new drugs are to be welcomed by the TB community, companies will withdraw their future interest and efforts in new and better drug discovery.

CAROL NACY, PH.D. is CEO of Sequella, Inc., a private company that develops new anti-infective drugs.