News

Finston Consulting LLC is now certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

BayhDole25 Research Shows Improved Access to Early Capital for Biotechs

The latest BayhDole25 publication, "Access to Early Capital," analyzes issues relating to access to early capital for biotech entrepreneurs, finding improved prospects for funding from a variety of sources heading into the second half of 2010. This paper is an outgrowth of the "Biotechnology ToolKit," with future installments planned on other issues critical to the sucessful commercialization of science. Like all BayhDole25 materials, this paper is now available for free download with registration on the website.

To download this or any BayhDole25 publication free of charge, visit: www.bayhdole25.org

MENA Workshop for Women in Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, UAE, (May 2 - 4, 2010)

Through the University of Michigan-Dearborn (UM-Dearborn) program, 19 women with advanced degrees from 11 MENA countries participated in research fellowships at either the University of Michigan or at a Detroit company from April 14, 2009-June 9, 2009. Their industry experience was supplemented with short courses and independent study in conjunction with UM-Dearborn faculty as well as exposure to the American culture. Now as a follow-on event, the National Science Foundation (NSF), together with the University of Michigan (Dearborn) and the U.S. Department of State, is organizing a MENA Women in Science and Engineering Workshop, taking place in Abu Dhabi, 2 - 4 May 2010. The MENA Workshop provides a valuable opportunity for information sharing, networking with senior UAE officials, and facilitation of R&D between innovative companies and MENA-based researchers, including a presentation by Susan K. Finston on technology transfer and commercialization of research for creation of social and economic value at the luncheon on 3 May.

To download the full MENA Workshop program, click here.

(Registration is free of charge.)

BayhDole25 Slide Presentation on the Golden Rice Case Study, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, (December 16, 2009)

From 14 - 17 December, the National Patent and Trademark Office of Brasil, known as INPI, hosted a regional meeting on Intellectual Property and Innovation as a driver for competitiveness of Latin America, organized by the Organization of American States (OAS) together with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Susan K. Finston attended the meeting and provided an overview on the BayhDole25 Golden Rice Case Study, highlighting the positive role played by intellectual property in the form of patents, which facilitated the development of a Freedom to Operate (FTO) agreement. Through the FTO, patent-holder Syngenta has authorized licenses for non-commercial development of Golden Rice in a number of African and Asian developing countries. Unfortunately, regulatory delay and opposition from certain Civil Society groups has blocked vulnerable populations from gaining the benefits of Golden Rice. BayhDole25 originally published a brief Golden Rice Case Study in the Intellectual Property Toolkit, and now has additional background available through this expanded slide show.

To download the BayhDole25 Golden Rice Case Study slides, click here.

To download the original BayhDole25 Intellectual Property Toolkit, visit: www.bayhdole25.org

Focused Group Discussion: "Promoting Innovative Cluster in Life Sciences (Pharmaceuticals)" in Gujarat (October 26, 2009)

Under the auspices of the Government of India's Department of Science and Technology program: Promoting Innovative Clusters (PIC), the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Foundation (MSME Foundation) convened a Focused Group Discussion to identify action steps towards deveopment of innovative life sciences in the state of Gujarat, India. Susan K. Finston participated on behalf of Amrita Therapeutics Ltd. (www.amritatherapeutics.com) and also provided copies of the latest BayhDole25 Biotechnology Toolkit addressing similar issues, namely the core elements of an enabling envirionment for the innovative life sciences. The Focused Group Discussion provided a number of practical action steps that the MSME Foundation will take up in coordination with DST in the coming weeks and months to support SME deveopment in four broad categories: pharmaceutical (new formulations and drug delivery systems), medical devices, biotechnology start-ups (like Amrita Therapeutics) and traditional medicines.

For background information on the MSME Foundation, visit: http://www.msmefoundation.org/

To download the BayhDole25 Biotechnology Toolkit, visit: www.bayhdole25.org

Washington Embassy Network (WEN) Luncheon: Presentation on the IPRTA Forum for international Capacity Building (October 16, 2009)

The latest meeting of the Washington Embassy Network (WEN) featured a special presentation by Mr. Jacob Engel, formerly DFID Policy Advisor on Trade and Development, on the United Kingdom's lead Intellectual Property (IP) capacity building program for developing countries, the IPRTA Forum. Mr. Engel's presentation is entitled: "Sharing the Benefits of Intellectual Property and Innovation - A Discussion on the Past, Present and Future of IP Development Assistance and Capacity Building." Special thanks to the Organization of American States (OAS) for hosting the next WEN luncheon.

For background information on the IPRTA Forum, click here.

To download Jakob Engel's presentation on the IPRTA Forum, click here.

BayhDole25 Biotechnology Toolkit Released (Sept 14, 2009)

BayhDole25 is a non-profit, non-government organization providing educational materials relating to technology transfer and related generation of social and economic benefits. The BayhDole25 Biotechnology Toolkit provides an overview of the core elements needed to support efforts of scientists and biotechnology entrepreneurs to bring inventions from the Bench to the Market. Like all BayhDole25 materials, this paper is now available for free download with registration on the website.

To download this or any BayhDole25 publication free of charge, visit: www.bayhdole25.org

National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) Bayh-Dole Conference, Calcutta, India (Sept 12, 2009)

India’s draft technology transfer bill: “The Protection and Utilisation of Public Funded Intellectual Property Bill, 2008” remains a high priority item for passage by the Government of India. The draft bill is slated for Parliamentary consideration in the upcoming Winter Session (November 2009). Prof. Shamnad Basheer is convening a conference at the National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) Bayh-Dole Conference scheduled for September 12, 2009 to bring together experts to make specific proposals for amendment of the current bill in advance of consideration later this year during the Winter Session of Parliament. 

This upcoming conference will provide specific proposals for amendment of the pending legislation, including specific compulsory licensing non-exclusive licensing provisions, and is likely to carry weight in the coming Parliamentary debate.   As a member of the BayhDole25 Board, Susan Kling Finston has been invited to participate as a speaker in the one-day program.

To download the BayhDole25 slides, click here.

For more information on the NUJS conference, click here.

"Equity and Commercial Rights for Genetic Resources," sponsored by the DC Bar Associations and the Environmental Law Institute, 29 April 2009, Washington DC

Susan Finston was a featured speaker at this April 29 discussion of key issues relating to sustainable commercial uses and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources. Finston's presentation focused on key outstanding issues relating to the ongoing negotiation of operational text for the International Regime (IR) for Access and Benefit Sharing in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) likely to be presented to Ministers for adoption in October 2010.

For full details on the DC Bar/ELI event, click here.

To download Susan Finston's presentation (handout), click here.

"Cheddarheads in Brussels," Forbes.com has published Susan Finston's latest opinion article, this time detailing how the EU and Switzerland seek to impose new trade barriers on processed high-value agicultural products at the expense of both developing and developed countries, and support mandatory patent dislcosure to advance their protectionist GI agenda. To read the article, click here.

Launch of Amrita Therapeutics: Based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Amrita Therapeutics is a new biotechnology start-up company developing novel drugs to combat the leading public health threats of the 21st century with fewer side-effects and at an affordable cost. Amrita Therapeutics is co-founded by biotechnology pioneer Dr. Ananda M. Chakrabarty and Susan K Finston. For more information, see http://www.amritatherapeutics.com

OBS Pakistan completes acquisition of Merck Sharp & Dohme of Pakistan Ltd (MSD  Pakistan).

As noted on the OBS website, "Under the agreement between the two companies, MSD Pakistan which includes manufacturing, sales and marketing operations will continue as it currently exists but under the new ownership and management of OBS. By virtue of this new agreement products of MSD Pakistan continue to be available in the future whereas employment of more than 260 Pakistani citizens is safeguarded.  All employees have been given the opportunity to work under new management at their same remuneration packages. This model has enabled MSD Pakistan to continue as a high tech pharmaceutical company. The transfer to and use of international pharmaceutical technology in Pakistan is guaranteed by this long term co-operation with OBS Pakistan. Every patient in Pakistan will therefore be able to benefit from supply with ethical pharmaceutical products of highest quality." For more details on the strategic partnership and related technology transfer between Merck & Co. Inc., USA and OBS Pakistan, see http://www.obs.com.pk/news8.html.

For more highlights relating to Finston Consulting Clients and Affiliated Organizations, click here.