GSK relaxing IP approach in poorer countries
On a conference call Thursday, CEO Andrew Witty said GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE:GSK; NYSE:GSK) is taking steps to align its patent filing and enforcement policies with various nations' levels of "economic maturity." Witty first described the company's new IP approach in a speech in Washington, D.C., on March 17 (see BioCentury Extra, March 17).
GSK said it will not seek patent protection for its medicines in about 85 of the "least developed" and "low income" countries, including most of sub-Saharan Africa. In "lower middle income countries" such as Ukraine and Vietnam, the company said it "will file for patents but will seek to offer and agree licenses to allow supplies of generic versions of its medicines for 10 years," and will seek a small royalty. ...