Utrecht University (The Netherlands) and the World Health Organisation
(WHO) will work together to make affordable patent-free medicines
possible in developing countries.
To this end, both organisations signed
an agreement on 2 March in which the university makes knowledge
available under strict conditions for the production of such medicines.
The WHO approached Utrecht University partly as a result of the leading
knowledge position of the university in this area. “This special
agreement fits perfectly with the social aspirations of our university,
said Marjan Oudeman, President of the Executive Board of Utrecht
University. “The first medication is a drug for a serious respiratory
infection that occurs in premature infants. With it we contribute to
resolving a major global health problem.”
On behalf of the WHO Kees de Joncheere, Director of Essential Medicines
and Pharmaceuticals Policies, signed the agreement. Hugo Sigman was also
present at the signature as a representative of the industrial
partners. Sigman is founder and CEO of Chemo, developer and manufacturer
of medicines.
First medication
Utrecht University has established the Utrecht Centre of Excellence for Affordable Biotherapeutics
Foundation (UCAB) which facilitates the development, production and
distribution of high quality and affordable medicines in developing
countries. One of the tasks is the transfer of technology to private
parties who produce the medicines under the auspices of the WHO. The
first medicine that UCAB is focusing on is palivizumab, a drug for a
serious respiratory infection (RS virus) that primarily affects
premature infants. UCAB will be located at the Utrecht Science Park.
High quality affordable biosimilars
In the early nineties, a new type of medication was developed
(biologicals) to address a variety of diseases, including cancer and
autoimmune diseases. The patent is now running out on a number of
medications, which offers opportunities to develop their cheaper
versions (biosimilars). Local manufacturers are involved in the
production of biosimilars in many countries, but unfortunately these are
often still too expensive and sometimes of dubious quality. UCAB wants
to coordinate the development of biosimilars according to the highest
possible quality standard. Due to the fact that local manufacturers
share the development costs, prices can be kept low. They therefore do
not have carry out the costly clinical trials individually. UCAB will
also transfer technical knowledge to the local regulatory authorities
and manufacturers through training courses.
This project ties in closely with the strategic research theme Life Sciences of Utrecht University.