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Increasing Biotech Involvement in Global Health Innovation. Oxford Conference on Innovation and Technology Transfer for Global Health September 11, 2007 James A. Geraghty Genzyme Corporation. Objectives of today’s talk. Provide rationale/mandate for involvement
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Increasing Biotech Involvement in Global Health Innovation Oxford Conference on Innovation and Technology Transfer for Global Health September 11, 2007 James A. Geraghty Genzyme Corporation
Objectives of today’s talk • Provide rationale/mandate for involvement • Outline possible approaches and contributions • Summarize one company’s involvement Catalyze discussion and new initiatives
The Case for Corporate Involvement Not charity- a strategic responsibility • To maintain policy support – regulatory, pricing, IP … • To maintain long-term public trust and goodwill • To attract and retain highly motivated employees • To develop relationships in emerging markets • To develop new capabilities through partnerships Many agree – why isn’t more done?
(Perceived) Barriers to Involvement • “We’re not experts in these diseases” • “We can’t afford the expenses” • “It’s not in our shareholders’ interest” • “We’ll only spark more criticism”
Twin Pillars of Partnership Access Criteria Industry Needs • Guiding Principles: • Maximize access: • developing countries • Minimize costs: • prices, royalties • Make IP available: • PPO’s, NGO’s, Governments • Sustainability: • Offset R&D costs: • funding, tax credits • Provide markets: • AMC’s, developed world • Policy support: • reimbursement, IP, etc
Potential Biotech Contributions Products Capabilities Some Companies All Companies
One Company’s Approach • Seek out leaders in the field • Focus on ways we can add value • Provide IP in “field” to non-profit partner • Retain IP rights, if any, outside “field” • Start small and work with funders to grow
Genzyme/DNDi Partnership: African Tryps • Identify novel inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis • Genzyme • Compounds impacting polyamine metabolism and other pathways • Synthetic medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical development • DNDI • Expertise in disease biology • In vitro and in vivo testing • Resources, network and infrastructure to execute clinical trials • One lead has shown superior results; optimization on going
Genzyme/Broad/MMV Partnership: Malaria • Goal: Sustainable pipeline of novel clinical candidates • Exploit existing drug candidates and screens • Utilize new genomic database to identify novel targets • Develop chemical genetics screens to validate targets • Support partners in conducting clinical trials
Conclusions • Perceived barriers act as real barriers • Perceptions can reflect an obsolete environment • Solutions to the real problems are not easy • The future belongs to those who see opportunities