CHAIR
:
Jacques J. Gorlin, PhD, President, American BioIndustry Alliance
SPEAKER
(S):
Amanda M. Chakrabarty, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Illinois at Chicago
Janna C. Tom, Assistant Director, Policy, Analysis and Campus Services, Office of Technology Transfer, University of California, Office of the President
Alan Hesketh, PhD, Vice President and General Patent Advisor, Pfizer Inc
Timothy J. Hodges, Director and National Focal Point, Aceess & Benefit Sharing, and Co-Chair Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group on Access and Benefit Sharing, Convention on Biological Diversity, Environment Canada
Description
The biotechnology industry faces unprecedented international pressure to provide mandatory disclosure of the source and origin of genetic resources and related traditional knowledge as a condition for the patentability of its biotechnology inventions as well as provide proof of prior informed consent and benefit sharing. The BIO 2007 panel will analyze the challenges posed by the patent disclosure proposals; explore the latest international developments; and discuss what is being done by the biotech industry to develop positive alternatives to patent-centric ABS enforcement.
Objectives:
Brief patent counsel on the threat to biotech patentability standards from international adoption of mandatory disclosure of source/origin of genetic resource inventions in important biotech markets in Europe, Asia and elsewhere.
Raise awareness of need for increased industry advocacy in key capitals and at the multilateral level .
Outline alternatives outside the patent system to promote equitable benefit sharing from genetic resource inventions with less risk to IP and core industry interests.