GlaxoSmithKline to adopt new IP and patent approach in poor countries

GlaxoSmithKline has announced a change to its intellectual property (IP) and patent policies in order to help improve access to medicine in developing countries.

The new graduated approach will adapt its stance on IP to reflect a country's economic maturity. In the least developed low income countries, the company will no longer file for patent protection at all.

Meanwhile, it will seek to grant licences to generic manufacturers to supply versions of GlaxoSmithKline medicines in lower middle-income countries, while committing future oncology products to patent pooling, working alongside the Medicines Patent Pool.

This comes in addition to the tiered pricing, healthcare infrastructure building, data-sharing and innovative partnership initiatives it has already implemented over the last few years.

Sir Andrew Witty, chief executive officer of GlaxoSmithKline, said: "We believe the measures outlined today add to the wider contribution GlaxoSmithKline makes to improve access to effective healthcare around the world."

Although the firm maintains that IP laws are essential to stimulate and underpin continued investment in research and development, it recognises that flexibility on this front can help address pressing health challenges in developing countries.