Global pharma licensing agreements see a slow-down, says report

Jyothi Datta of the Hindu Business Line reports on the release of the new Access to Medicine Index, highlighting Novartis' top ranking for the first time. The article underscores the report's key theme: the need for the pharmaceutical industry to expand clinical trials and promote greater voluntary licensing and technology transfers.

The article opens by highlighting the marked slowdown in licensing activities, as revealed in the 2024 Index, which identified only two non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreements during the analysis period.

Jayasree Iyer, CEO of the Access to Medicine Foundation, explains to Jyothi that many pharma companies did not prioritise low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for access to new drugs. She points out that many licenses were reliant on donor funding for procurement, emphasising the need for both companies and governments to address these challenges, particularly as funding continues to be under strain.

The article also highlights the concerningly low representation of resource-poor populations in clinical trials, noting that “companies often focus access planning on the countries where trials are conducted, leaving much of the world behind.” It stresses the urgent need for companies to diversify clinical trials and incorporate comprehensive access planning during research and development (R&D) to ensure equitable access across all geographies.