WIPO and the Medicines Patent Pool jointly host the launch of the study: “Voluntary Licensing: Right for Health, Smart for Business”

WIPO and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) will jointly organize the launch of a new study, co-funded by WIPO and the Government of Canada, that demonstrates how voluntary licensing can advance access to medical technologies, while being commercially viable for biopharmaceutical companies. The study, conducted by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), presents evidence that voluntary licensing is an effective mechanism to address global health disparities, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Using both qualitative and quantitative analyses, the study illustrates how voluntary licensing advances access to medical products across multiple geographies while offering economic benefits for biopharmaceutical companies.

Join us for a roundtable discussion with a panel of global health experts from industry, donors, governments, and UN partners on the report titled “Voluntary Licensing: Right for Health, Smart for Business”, hosted by WIPO and MPP on Wednesday, May 29th, 2024, at the sidelines of the World Health Assembly. The event will be hosted at WIPO from 14.00-15.30 hr (CEST) and can be attended in person or online.  A light lunch will precede the event at 13:00.

The study provides solid evidence that voluntary licensing can increase revenues for both innovator and generic companies, enhance access and encourage employee retention, leading to significant cost savings, with minimum costs and risks to companies.

The study also demonstrates the advantages of voluntary licensing as a mechanism to support global partnerships, local manufacturing, and equitable access to healthcare solutions.