Transcript Geraghty - Andrew Farlow

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
1
Objectives of today’s talk
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Provide rationale/mandate for involvement
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Outline possible approaches and contributions
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Summarize one company’s involvement
Catalyze discussion and new initiatives
2
The Case for Corporate Involvement
Not charity- a strategic responsibility
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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?
3
(Perceived) Barriers to Involvement
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“We’re not experts in these diseases”
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“We can’t afford the expenses”
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“It’s not in our shareholders’ interest”
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“We’ll only spark more criticism”
4
Twin Pillars of Partnership
Access Criteria
Guiding Principles:
• Maximize access:
developing countries
• Minimize costs:
prices, royalties
• Make IP available:
PPO’s, NGO’s, Governments
Industry Needs
Sustainability:
• Offset R&D costs:
funding, tax credits
• Provide markets:
AMC’s, developed world
• Policy support:
reimbursement, IP, etc
5
Potential Biotech Contributions
Products
Capabilities
Some
Companies
All
Companies
6
One Company’s Approach
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Seek out leaders in the field
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Focus on ways we can add value
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Provide IP in “field” to non-profit partner
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Retain IP rights, if any, outside “field”
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Start small and work with funders to grow
7
Genzyme/DNDi Partnership: African Tryps
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Identify novel inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis
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Genzyme
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DNDI
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Compounds impacting polyamine metabolism and other pathways
Synthetic medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical development
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
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Genzyme/Broad/MMV Partnership: Malaria
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Goal: Sustainable pipeline of novel clinical candidates
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Exploit existing drug candidates and screens
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Utilize new genomic database to identify novel targets
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Develop chemical genetics screens to validate targets
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Support partners in conducting clinical trials
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Conclusions
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Perceived barriers act as real barriers
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Perceptions can reflect an obsolete environment
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Solutions to the real problems are not easy
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The future belongs to those who see opportunities
10