In this episode, Dr. Robert Popovian and Ben Blanc are joined by Kate Hudson, Associate Vice President and Counsel for Government Relations and Public Policy at the Association of American Universities, to dissect the complex issue of march-in rights. They delve into how this regulation negatively influences the partnership between public research and private sector investment, which is crucial for supporting biopharmaceutical innovation from university labs to a patient’s bedside. The episode reveals march-in rights' potential risks and benefits, especially how the policy might impact innovation and patient access to future therapies.

Among the highlights in this episode:

02:25: Researchers found that 75% of all Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs between January 2008 and December 2017 were funded and researched by private companies, with only 19% of the approved drugs having origins in publicly supported research and development, and 6% originating in companies that were spun from publicly supported research programs

03:48: Kate shares her professional journey and current role at the Association of American Universities

06:06: Kate explains the concept of march-in rights under the Bayh-Dole Act, detailing its purpose, application, and implications for intellectual property generated from federally funded research

09:52: Dr. Popovian describes his involvement with University Pharmco and its mission to promote research commercialization, emphasizing the potential impact of march-in rights on such initiatives

12:19: Kate addresses why the debate around march-in rights is crucial from a patient's perspective, particularly concerning the potential chilling effect on innovation and drug development

17:18: Kate provides her perspective on how march-in rights could influence private sector investment, potentially driving it outside the United States, and discusses the international adoption of similar legislative frameworks

19:54: Dr. Popovian shares some final thoughts

Contact Our Hosts

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF: bblanc@ghlf.org

A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc.

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