By:
On:
In: Actions

The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA has responded on behalf of the University of California to UACT’s recent letters on the Xtandi (INN:enzalutamide) patent in India. In a letter sent by post dated September 7, 2017, received on September 19, 2017, (copy  here)Dr. John C. Mazziotta, the Vice Chancellor for UCLA Health Sciences and the CEO of the UCLA Health System wrote to UACT, rejecting the request by UACT and others that the University abandon its appeal of a rejection of enzalutamide patent in India. Mazziotta did say “UC has brought to Medivation’s attention the concerns UACT has raised, ” but that wasRead More →

By:
On:
In: Actions

Today, September 13, 2017, Emily Leonard, a US Navy veteran and UC San Diego alumna, spoke on behalf of UACT and Universities Allied for Essential Medicines before the University of California Board of Regents.  Ms. Leonard delivered a copy of the letter sent to the Regents on May 24, 2017 asking the University of California to drop its pursuit of a patent on the prostate cancer drug enzalutamide (sold by Astellas as Xtandi) in India. The Board of Regents has yet to reply to the May 24, 2017 letter, or a follow-up letter sent on August 9, 2017 to Regents member Sherry Lansing. You canRead More →

By:
On:
In: Actions, Negotiations

Today, UACT submitted letters to the CEOs of three major pharmaceutical companies currently developing chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) technologies.  UACT asked the leaders of Novartis, Gilead Sciences, and Juno Therapeutics to address questions regarding research and development (R&D) costs, federal-funding received, potential public health impact, and ensuring equitable and affordable access to CAR T treatments in the US and around the world. The first CAR T treatment was approved by the FDA yesterday, a treatment for leukemia in children and young adults produced by Novartis, and was quickly announced to carry a $475,000 price tag. As this new area of cancer-treating technologies emerges,Read More →

By:
On:
In: Actions

On August 31, 2017, UACT sent a letter to Francis Collins, the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), regarding the emerging chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) technologies that are currently being developed across a number of pharmaceutical companies and institutions.  On August 30, 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made the first approval of a CAR T treatment, a leukemia treatment by Novartis for children and young adults. Novartis announced it would charge $475,000 for the treatment. In the UACT letter to Dr. Collins, we ask the NIH to communicate more information to public regarding the NIH role in developing, patentingRead More →

By:
On:
In: News

Each year, the Graduate Institute Geneva compiles the list of “300 Women Leaders in Global Health.” The list was created to “showcase female leadership in global health,” and nominations are gathered from peers to recognize women’s contributions to global health policies and initiatives. UACT is pleased to highlight the women included on the list who are involved with guiding UACT’s mission and work. Five of the incredible women included in the “300 Women Leaders in Global Health” are members of UACT’s leadership, including two members of the Board of Directors, two members of the Expert Advisory Board, as well as our Acting Director. Nominees from our BoardRead More →