India must protect innovators' work product, says BIO chief

US Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) president and chief executive Jim Greenwood participated in economic development meetings with top Indian government officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while attending the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017 last week.

In his delivered remarks, Mr Greenwood said: “India has the scientific resources and research excellence to assume its rightful place beside the United States and China as a global leader in genome editing and biomedical innovation. But what I really want to convey to you today is that this future won’t be possible in India – or anywhere – without a government committed to creating a policy environment where the science can flourish. All of the scientific and entrepreneurial talent in the world cannot overcome stifling public policy.”

“While the IP [intellectual property] environment in India has long been challenging, the Modi Administration has been making strides. The decision not to pursue compulsory licensing – and the Prime Minister’s leadership in setting up an IP task force with the United States Trade Representative – are encouraging steps. Still, there’s much more work to do – to allow patenting of new products and to enforce companies’ IP rights.”