Sanders questions NIH licensing practices

An investigation into NIH’s technology licensing practices requested by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) could stimulate public discussion about allegations of cronyism and secrecy at the world’s largest biomedical research funding agency. It could also spark a debate about the best ways to turn NIH-funded research into medicines, including the kinds and value of incentives needed to commercialize discoveries.

Sanders, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, sent a letter Monday to the HHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) requesting an investigation of a specific licensing deal, along with more general questions about NIH licensing practices. ...