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{{Short description|Nonprofit organization}}
{{Short description|Nonprofit organization}}
{{notability|1=Companies|date=March 2022}}

{{Infobox organization
{{Infobox organization
| name = Initiative for Medicines, Access, and Knowledge
| name = Initiative for Medicines, Access, and Knowledge
| image = I-MAK_logo.jpg
| image = I-MAK_logo.jpg
| abbreviation = I-MAK
| abbreviation = I-MAK
| headquarters = [[United States]]
| headquarters = [[United States]]
| leader_title = Executive Directors
| leader_title = Executive Directors
| leader_name = [[Priti Krishtel]] and Tahir Amin
| leader_name = [[Priti Krishtel]] and Tahir Amin
| website = {{URL|https://www.i-mak.org/}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.i-mak.org/}}
}}
}}


The '''Initiative for Medicines, Access, and Knowledge''', known as '''I-MAK''', is a U.S.-based global 501(c)(3) organization that advocates in the public interest for affordable access to medicines,<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Waltz|first=Emily|date=2014-01-01|title=Sequenom falls after judge invalidates Down's patent|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/nbt0114-5.pdf|journal=Nature Biotechnology|language=en|volume=32|issue=1|pages=5|doi=10.1038/nbt0114-5|s2cid=28736102|issn=1546-1696}}</ref> and a medicines system that is more inclusive of patients and the public.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last1=Fri |last2=Krishtel |first2=Jul 23rd 2021 01:37pm-Priti |last3=Amin |first3=Tahir |date=2021-07-23 |title=10 Steps The Biden-Harris Administration Should Take To Bring Equity To Our Patent System |url=https://www.techdirt.com/2021/07/23/10-steps-biden-harris-administration-should-take-to-bring-equity-to-our-patent-system/ |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=Techdirt |language=en-US}}</ref>
The '''Initiative for Medicines, Access, and Knowledge''', known as '''I-MAK''', is a U.S.-based global 501(c)(3) organization that advocates in the public interest for affordable access to medicines,<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Waltz|first=Emily|date=2014-01-01|title=Sequenom falls after judge invalidates Down's patent|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/nbt0114-5.pdf|journal=Nature Biotechnology|language=en|volume=32|issue=1|pages=5|doi=10.1038/nbt0114-5|s2cid=28736102|issn=1546-1696}}</ref> and a medicines system that is more inclusive of patients and the public.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last1=Fri |last2=Krishtel |first2=Jul 23rd 2021 01:37pm-Priti |last3=Amin |first3=Tahir |date=2021-07-23 |title=10 Steps The Biden-Harris Administration Should Take To Bring Equity To Our Patent System |url=https://www.techdirt.com/2021/07/23/10-steps-biden-harris-administration-should-take-to-bring-equity-to-our-patent-system/ |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=Techdirt |language=en-US}}</ref>

I-MAK’s work has been featured in national and international media outlets, including [[The New York Times]], The Wall Street Journal, The [[Financial Times]], [[Fox Business]], [[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]], the [[The Washington Post|Washington Post]], [[Forbes]], [[PBS]], Salon, and [[Stat (website)|STAT News]].


== Organization ==
== Organization ==
I-MAK is a team of lawyers, scientists, health policy, and market dynamics experts that advocates for affordable medications,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Te |first=Nhu |title=2019 Unsung Heroes |url=https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/2019-unsung-heroes/ |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=NonProfit PRO |language=en}}</ref> and the prioritization of public good over private interests in the medicines system.<ref name="Board">{{Cite news |author=The Editorial Board |date=2022-04-16 |title=Opinion {{!}} Save America's Patent System |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/16/opinion/patents-reform-drug-prices.html |access-date=2022-07-29 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
I-MAK is a team of lawyers, scientists, and health policy and market dynamics experts who advocate for affordable medications,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Te |first=Nhu |title=2019 Unsung Heroes |url=https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/2019-unsung-heroes/ |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=NonProfit PRO |language=en}}</ref> and prioritize public good over private interests in the medicines system.<ref name="Board">{{Cite news |author=The Editorial Board |date=2022-04-16 |title=Opinion {{!}} Save America's Patent System |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/16/opinion/patents-reform-drug-prices.html |access-date=2022-07-29 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


I-MAK was founded in 2006 by lawyers [[Priti Krishtel]], and Tahir Amin.<ref name=":4" /> I-MAK has been supported by individuals and organizations aiming to lower the cost of prescription drugs, increase access to medicines, and make systems more inclusive and equitable.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Quigley |first=Fran |date=17 November 2017 |title=Patent Fighters: Taking on Big Pharma |work=Health and Human Rights |url=https://www.hhrjournal.org/2017/11/patent-fighters-taking-on-big-pharma/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=I-MAK |title=Donate – I-MAK |url=https://www.i-mak.org/donate/ |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=www.i-mak.org |language=en-US}}</ref>
I-MAK was founded in 2006 by lawyers [[Priti Krishtel]], experienced in the global access to medicines movement, and Tahir Amin, experienced in intellectual property law.<ref name=":4" /> I-MAK has been supported by individuals and organizations aiming to lower the cost of prescription drugs, increase access to medicines, and make systems more inclusive and equitable,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Quigley |first=Fran |date=17 November 2017 |title=Patent Fighters: Taking on Big Pharma |work=Health and Human Rights |url=https://www.hhrjournal.org/2017/11/patent-fighters-taking-on-big-pharma/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=I-MAK |title=Donate – I-MAK |url=https://www.i-mak.org/donate/ |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=www.i-mak.org |language=en-US}}</ref> including the Ford Foundation, the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders, the Commonwealth Fund, Open Society Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Echoing Green, the Calamus Foundation DE, the Mont Fund, the Palayam Foundation, Ashoka Foundation, and the Economic Security Project.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=2015-06-19 |title=China rejects Gilead hepatitis C drug patent -advocacy group |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/gilead-sciences-sovaldi-patents-idUSL1N0Z42MT20150619 |access-date=2023-01-06}}</ref>


== Past activities ==
== Past activities ==
I-MAK partnered with humanitarian and community-led organizations to launch legal challenges to hepatitis C and HIV drugs in a number of countries<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gibney |first=Michael |date=2015-01-15 |title=Gilead Denied Patent for Hepatitis C drug sofosbuvir in India |url=https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/gilead-denied-patent-for-hepatitis-c-drug-sofosbuvir-india |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=Fierce Pharma |language=en}}</ref> and successfully filed challenges against pharmaceutical patents that were determined to be unmerited.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Graham |first=Camilla S. |date=2020-07-21 |title=The Current Status of US and Global Access to Direct‐Acting Antiviral Regimens for Hepatitis C Virus Infection |journal=Clinical Liver Disease |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=16–19 |doi=10.1002/cld.925 |issn=2046-2484 |pmc=7373775 |pmid=32714518}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pierson |first=Brendan |date=2015-06-19 |title=China rejects Gilead hepatitis C drug patent -advocacy group |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/gilead-sciences-sovaldi-patents-idUSL1N0Z42MT20150619 |access-date=2022-01-09}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Sinha |first=Gunjan |date=2021-06-23 |title=How patent extensions keep some drug costs high |url=https://www.salon.com/2021/06/23/how-patent-extensions-keep-some-drug-costs-high_partner/ |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=Salon |language=en}}</ref>
In the initial days, I-MAK partnered with humanitarian and community-led organizations to launch legal challenges to hepatitis C and HIV drugs in several countries,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gibney |first=Michael |date=2015-01-15 |title=Gilead Denied Patent for Hepatitis C drug sofosbuvir in India |url=https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/gilead-denied-patent-for-hepatitis-c-drug-sofosbuvir-india |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=Fierce Pharma |language=en}}</ref> and successfully filed challenges against pharmaceutical patents that were determined to be unmerited.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Graham |first=Camilla S. |date=2020-07-21 |title=The Current Status of US and Global Access to Direct‐Acting Antiviral Regimens for Hepatitis C Virus Infection |journal=Clinical Liver Disease |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=16–19 |doi=10.1002/cld.925 |issn=2046-2484 |pmc=7373775 |pmid=32714518}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pierson |first=Brendan |date=2015-06-19 |title=China rejects Gilead hepatitis C drug patent -advocacy group |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/gilead-sciences-sovaldi-patents-idUSL1N0Z42MT20150619 |access-date=2022-01-09}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Sinha |first=Gunjan |date=2021-06-23 |title=How patent extensions keep some drug costs high |url=https://www.salon.com/2021/06/23/how-patent-extensions-keep-some-drug-costs-high_partner/ |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=Salon |language=en}}</ref> During this time, I-MAK worked alongside Nobel Peace Prize recipient Médecins Sans, Frontières/Doctors Without Borders, and patient networks to file patent challenges on behalf of low-income patients to ensure they received access to lifesaving medicines.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Board |first=The Editorial |date=2022-04-16 |title=Opinion {{!}} Save America’s Patent System |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/16/opinion/patents-reform-drug-prices.html |access-date=2023-01-06 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


I-MAK's work has decreased the cost of drugs and increased access to medicines for millions of patients.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /> By 2019, I-MAK had worked on patent law<ref>{{Cite web |last=I-MAK |title=Impact – I-MAK |url=https://www.i-mak.org/impact/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=www.i-mak.org |language=en-US}}</ref> for 33 treatments to 16 different diseases, including cancer,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chandrasekharan |first1=Subhashini |last2=Amin |first2=Tahir |last3=Kim |first3=Joyce |last4=Furrer |first4=Eliane |last5=Matterson |first5=Anna-Carin |last6=Schwalbe |first6=Nina |last7=Nguyen |first7=Aurélia |date=2015-11-17 |title=Intellectual property rights and challenges for development of affordable human papillomavirus, rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines: Patent landscaping and perspectives of developing country vaccine manufacturers |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X15011913 |journal=Vaccine |language=en |volume=33 |issue=46 |pages=6366–6370 |doi=10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.08.063 |pmid=26368398 |issn=0264-410X}}</ref> HIV,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-01-04 |title=Indian Government Rejects Abbott's Patent Application For Second-Line ARV |url=https://khn.org/morning-breakout/gh-010411-india-patent-application/ |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=Kaiser Health News |language=en-US}}</ref> hepatitis C,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Grillon |first1=Céline |last2=Krishtel |first2=Priti R |last3=Mellouk |first3=Othoman |last4=Basenko |first4=Anton |last5=Freeman |first5=James |last6=Mendão |first6=Luís |last7=Andrieux-Meyer |first7=Isabelle |last8=Morin |first8=Sébastien |date=April 2018 |title=Treatment advocate tactics to expand access to antiviral therapy for HIV and viral hepatitis C in low- to high-income settings: making sure no one is left behind |journal=Journal of the International AIDS Society |language=en |volume=21 |pages=e25060 |doi=10.1002/jia2.25060 |pmc=5978639 |pmid=29633580}}</ref> and diabetes.<ref name=":4" />
I-MAK’s work has decreased the cost of drugs and increased access to medicines for millions of patients.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /> By 2019, I-MAK had worked on patent law<ref>{{Cite web |last=I-MAK |title=Impact – I-MAK |url=https://www.i-mak.org/impact/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=www.i-mak.org |language=en-US}}</ref> for 33 treatments for 16 diseases, including cancer,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chandrasekharan |first1=Subhashini |last2=Amin |first2=Tahir |last3=Kim |first3=Joyce |last4=Furrer |first4=Eliane |last5=Matterson |first5=Anna-Carin |last6=Schwalbe |first6=Nina |last7=Nguyen |first7=Aurélia |date=2015-11-17 |title=Intellectual property rights and challenges for development of affordable human papillomavirus, rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines: Patent landscaping and perspectives of developing country vaccine manufacturers |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X15011913 |journal=Vaccine |language=en |volume=33 |issue=46 |pages=6366–6370 |doi=10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.08.063 |issn=0264-410X |pmid=26368398}}</ref> HIV,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-01-04 |title=Indian Government Rejects Abbott's Patent Application For Second-Line ARV |url=https://khn.org/morning-breakout/gh-010411-india-patent-application/ |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=Kaiser Health News |language=en-US}}</ref> hepatitis C,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Grillon |first1=Céline |last2=Krishtel |first2=Priti R |last3=Mellouk |first3=Othoman |last4=Basenko |first4=Anton |last5=Freeman |first5=James |last6=Mendão |first6=Luís |last7=Andrieux-Meyer |first7=Isabelle |last8=Morin |first8=Sébastien |date=April 2018 |title=Treatment advocate tactics to expand access to antiviral therapy for HIV and viral hepatitis C in low- to high-income settings: making sure no one is left behind |journal=Journal of the International AIDS Society |language=en |volume=21 |pages=e25060 |doi=10.1002/jia2.25060 |pmc=5978639 |pmid=29633580}}</ref> and diabetes.<ref name=":4" /> I-MAK has served in advisory capacities to patient groups, the [[European Patent Office]], UNITAID, the Clinton Foundation, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders, Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, and the World Health Organization.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" />


== Current activities ==
== Current activities ==


As of October 2022, I-MAK provides research, education, and policy solutions about the medicines system - the system encompassing drug development to drug access - through a process that involves various affected stakeholders called Participatory Changemaking.<ref name=":7" />
⚫
In 2022, ''The New York Times'' Editorial Board pointed to I-MAK's publications in its support of patent system reform and called on Congress and the United States Patent and Trademark Office Director Kathi Vidal to "modernize and fortify" the patent system.<ref name="Board"/>


In 2021, I-MAK called on the U.S administration and federal agencies to take action to promote competition and advance equity across government and update the patent system in the public’s interest. Citing I-MAK’s research and attention to the issue, in December 2021, the United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform released an investigation on drug pricing, finding that pharmaceutical companies engage in abusive patenting practices to extend their monopolies in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Priti Krishtel, a critic of medical patents, is a MacArthur Fellow |url=https://www.globalindiantimes.com/globalindiantimes/2022/10/14/priti-krishtel-macarthur-fellow-indian-american-i-mak |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=Global Indian Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I-MAK has been a vocal proponent for more equitable distribution of vaccines and treatments<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas-Smith |first=Ayeisha |title=Weekly Economics Podcast: Vaccine Nationalism |url=https://neweconomics.org/2021/02/weekly-economics-podcast-vaccine-nationalism |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=New Economics Foundation |language=en}}</ref> and racial equity in vaccine rollout.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Racial disparities create obstacles for Covid-19 vaccine rollout |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/racial-disparities-create-obstacles-covid-19-vaccine-rollout-n1249627 |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Wise |first=Jacqui |date=2020-07-03 |title=Remdesivir: US purchase of world stocks sparks new "hunger games," warn observers |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2661 |journal=BMJ |volume=370 |pages=m2661 |doi=10.1136/bmj.m2661 |pmid=32620681 |s2cid=220303420 |issn=1756-1833}}</ref> I-MAK joined global health advocates in calling for a waiver to the World Trade Organization's TRIPS agreement so that intellectual property did not inhibit manufacturing and access<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Krishtel |first1=Priti |last2=Hassan |first2=Fatima |date=2021-10-22 |title=Share vaccine know-how |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abm8724 |journal=Science |volume=374 |issue=6566 |pages=379 |doi=10.1126/science.abm8724 |pmid=34672761 |bibcode=2021Sci...374..379K |s2cid=239455290 |issn=0036-8075}}</ref> to COVID-19 technologies, emphasizing the amount of public funding that contributed to vaccine and treatment development.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Covid Seen as Tipping Point to Lower Drug Prices, Patent Sharing |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/pharma-and-life-sciences/covid-seen-as-tipping-point-to-lower-drug-prices-patent-sharing |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=news.bloomberglaw.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Business Daily - Big Pharma: Vaccine Heroes or Profiteers? - BBC Sounds |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3csz8np |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref>

⚫
In 2022, the ''New York Times Editorial Board'' cited I-MAK’s publications supporting patent system reform and called on Congress and the United States Patent and Trademark Office Director Kathi Vidal to “modernize and fortify” the patent system.<ref name=":7" />

⚫
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I-MAK has been a vocal proponent for more equitable distribution of vaccines and treatments<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas-Smith |first=Ayeisha |title=Weekly Economics Podcast: Vaccine Nationalism |url=https://neweconomics.org/2021/02/weekly-economics-podcast-vaccine-nationalism |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=New Economics Foundation |language=en}}</ref> and racial equity in vaccine rollout.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Racial disparities create obstacles for Covid-19 vaccine rollout |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/racial-disparities-create-obstacles-covid-19-vaccine-rollout-n1249627 |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Wise |first=Jacqui |date=2020-07-03 |title=Remdesivir: US purchase of world stocks sparks new "hunger games," warn observers |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2661 |journal=BMJ |volume=370 |pages=m2661 |doi=10.1136/bmj.m2661 |pmid=32620681 |s2cid=220303420 |issn=1756-1833}}</ref> I-MAK joined global health advocates in calling for a waiver to the World Trade Organization’s TRIPS agreement so that intellectual property did not inhibit manufacturing and access<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Krishtel |first1=Priti |last2=Hassan |first2=Fatima |date=2021-10-22 |title=Share vaccine know-how |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abm8724 |journal=Science |volume=374 |issue=6566 |pages=379 |doi=10.1126/science.abm8724 |pmid=34672761 |bibcode=2021Sci...374..379K |s2cid=239455290 |issn=0036-8075}}</ref> to COVID-19 technologies, emphasizing the amount of public funding that contributed to vaccine and treatment development.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Covid Seen as Tipping Point to Lower Drug Prices, Patent Sharing |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/pharma-and-life-sciences/covid-seen-as-tipping-point-to-lower-drug-prices-patent-sharing |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=news.bloomberglaw.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Business Daily - Big Pharma: Vaccine Heroes or Profiteers? - BBC Sounds |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3csz8np |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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== Further reading ==
* {{cite journal |last=Grillon |first=Céline |last2=Krishtel |first2=Priti R |last3=Mellouk |first3=Othoman |last4=Basenko |first4=Anton |last5=Freeman |first5=James |last6=Mendão |first6=Luís |last7=Andrieux-Meyer |first7=Isabelle |last8=Morin |first8=Sébastien |year=2018 |title=Treatment advocate tactics to expand access to antiviral therapy for HIV and viral hepatitis C in low- to high-income settings: making sure no one is left behind |journal=Journal of the International AIDS Society |publisher=Wiley |volume=21 |page=e25060 |doi=10.1002/jia2.25060 |issn=1758-2652}}
* {{cite journal |last=Wise |first=Jacqui |date=2020-07-03 |title=Remdesivir: US purchase of world stocks sparks new “hunger games,” warn observers |journal=BMJ |publisher=BMJ |page=m2661 |doi=10.1136/bmj.m2661 |issn=1756-1833}}
* {{cite journal |last=Graham |first=Camilla S. |year=2020 |title=The Current Status of US and Global Access to Direct‐Acting Antiviral Regimens for Hepatitis C Virus Infection |journal=Clinical Liver Disease |publisher=Wiley |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=16–19 |doi=10.1002/cld.925 |issn=2046-2484}}


== External links ==
== External links ==

Revision as of 23:46, 6 January 2023

Initiative for Medicines, Access, and Knowledge
AbbreviationI-MAK
HeadquartersUnited States
Executive Directors
Priti Krishtel and Tahir Amin
Websitewww.i-mak.org

The Initiative for Medicines, Access, and Knowledge, known as I-MAK, is a U.S.-based global 501(c)(3) organization that advocates in the public interest for affordable access to medicines,[1] and a medicines system that is more inclusive of patients and the public.[2]

I-MAK’s work has been featured in national and international media outlets, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, Fox Business, Bloomberg, the Washington Post, Forbes, PBS, Salon, and STAT News.

Organization

I-MAK is a team of lawyers, scientists, and health policy and market dynamics experts who advocate for affordable medications,[3] and prioritize public good over private interests in the medicines system.[4]

I-MAK was founded in 2006 by lawyers Priti Krishtel, experienced in the global access to medicines movement, and Tahir Amin, experienced in intellectual property law.[3] I-MAK has been supported by individuals and organizations aiming to lower the cost of prescription drugs, increase access to medicines, and make systems more inclusive and equitable,[1][5][6] including the Ford Foundation, the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders, the Commonwealth Fund, Open Society Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Echoing Green, the Calamus Foundation DE, the Mont Fund, the Palayam Foundation, Ashoka Foundation, and the Economic Security Project.[7]

Past activities

In the initial days, I-MAK partnered with humanitarian and community-led organizations to launch legal challenges to hepatitis C and HIV drugs in several countries,[8] and successfully filed challenges against pharmaceutical patents that were determined to be unmerited.[9][10][11] During this time, I-MAK worked alongside Nobel Peace Prize recipient Médecins Sans, Frontières/Doctors Without Borders, and patient networks to file patent challenges on behalf of low-income patients to ensure they received access to lifesaving medicines.[7][12]

I-MAK’s work has decreased the cost of drugs and increased access to medicines for millions of patients.[11][5] By 2019, I-MAK had worked on patent law[13] for 33 treatments for 16 diseases, including cancer,[14] HIV,[15] hepatitis C,[16] and diabetes.[3] I-MAK has served in advisory capacities to patient groups, the European Patent Office, UNITAID, the Clinton Foundation, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders, Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, and the World Health Organization.[7][12]

Current activities

As of October 2022, I-MAK provides research, education, and policy solutions about the medicines system - the system encompassing drug development to drug access - through a process that involves various affected stakeholders called Participatory Changemaking.[12]

In 2021, I-MAK called on the U.S administration and federal agencies to take action to promote competition and advance equity across government and update the patent system in the public’s interest. Citing I-MAK’s research and attention to the issue, in December 2021, the United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform released an investigation on drug pricing, finding that pharmaceutical companies engage in abusive patenting practices to extend their monopolies in the United States.[17]

In 2022, the New York Times Editorial Board cited I-MAK’s publications supporting patent system reform and called on Congress and the United States Patent and Trademark Office Director Kathi Vidal to “modernize and fortify” the patent system.[12]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I-MAK has been a vocal proponent for more equitable distribution of vaccines and treatments[18] and racial equity in vaccine rollout.[19][20] I-MAK joined global health advocates in calling for a waiver to the World Trade Organization’s TRIPS agreement so that intellectual property did not inhibit manufacturing and access[21] to COVID-19 technologies, emphasizing the amount of public funding that contributed to vaccine and treatment development.[22][23]

References

  1. ^ a b Waltz, Emily (2014-01-01). "Sequenom falls after judge invalidates Down's patent" (PDF). Nature Biotechnology. 32 (1): 5. doi:10.1038/nbt0114-5. ISSN 1546-1696. S2CID 28736102.
  2. ^ Fri; Krishtel, Jul 23rd 2021 01:37pm-Priti; Amin, Tahir (2021-07-23). "10 Steps The Biden-Harris Administration Should Take To Bring Equity To Our Patent System". Techdirt. Retrieved 2022-07-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b c Te, Nhu. "2019 Unsung Heroes". NonProfit PRO. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  4. ^ The Editorial Board (2022-04-16). "Opinion | Save America's Patent System". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  5. ^ a b Quigley, Fran (17 November 2017). "Patent Fighters: Taking on Big Pharma". Health and Human Rights.
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  8. ^ Gibney, Michael (2015-01-15). "Gilead Denied Patent for Hepatitis C drug sofosbuvir in India". Fierce Pharma. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  9. ^ Graham, Camilla S. (2020-07-21). "The Current Status of US and Global Access to Direct‐Acting Antiviral Regimens for Hepatitis C Virus Infection". Clinical Liver Disease. 16 (1): 16–19. doi:10.1002/cld.925. ISSN 2046-2484. PMC 7373775. PMID 32714518.
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  14. ^ Chandrasekharan, Subhashini; Amin, Tahir; Kim, Joyce; Furrer, Eliane; Matterson, Anna-Carin; Schwalbe, Nina; Nguyen, Aurélia (2015-11-17). "Intellectual property rights and challenges for development of affordable human papillomavirus, rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines: Patent landscaping and perspectives of developing country vaccine manufacturers". Vaccine. 33 (46): 6366–6370. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.08.063. ISSN 0264-410X. PMID 26368398.
  15. ^ "Indian Government Rejects Abbott's Patent Application For Second-Line ARV". Kaiser Health News. 2011-01-04. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  16. ^ Grillon, Céline; Krishtel, Priti R; Mellouk, Othoman; Basenko, Anton; Freeman, James; Mendão, Luís; Andrieux-Meyer, Isabelle; Morin, Sébastien (April 2018). "Treatment advocate tactics to expand access to antiviral therapy for HIV and viral hepatitis C in low- to high-income settings: making sure no one is left behind". Journal of the International AIDS Society. 21: e25060. doi:10.1002/jia2.25060. PMC 5978639. PMID 29633580.
  17. ^ "Priti Krishtel, a critic of medical patents, is a MacArthur Fellow". Global Indian Times. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  18. ^ Thomas-Smith, Ayeisha. "Weekly Economics Podcast: Vaccine Nationalism". New Economics Foundation. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  19. ^ "Racial disparities create obstacles for Covid-19 vaccine rollout". NBC News. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  20. ^ Wise, Jacqui (2020-07-03). "Remdesivir: US purchase of world stocks sparks new "hunger games," warn observers". BMJ. 370: m2661. doi:10.1136/bmj.m2661. ISSN 1756-1833. PMID 32620681. S2CID 220303420.
  21. ^ Krishtel, Priti; Hassan, Fatima (2021-10-22). "Share vaccine know-how". Science. 374 (6566): 379. Bibcode:2021Sci...374..379K. doi:10.1126/science.abm8724. ISSN 0036-8075. PMID 34672761. S2CID 239455290.
  22. ^ "Covid Seen as Tipping Point to Lower Drug Prices, Patent Sharing". news.bloomberglaw.com. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  23. ^ "Business Daily - Big Pharma: Vaccine Heroes or Profiteers? - BBC Sounds". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-07-29.

Further reading

  • Grillon, Céline; Krishtel, Priti R; Mellouk, Othoman; Basenko, Anton; Freeman, James; Mendão, Luís; Andrieux-Meyer, Isabelle; Morin, Sébastien (2018). "Treatment advocate tactics to expand access to antiviral therapy for HIV and viral hepatitis C in low- to high-income settings: making sure no one is left behind". Journal of the International AIDS Society. 21. Wiley: e25060. doi:10.1002/jia2.25060. ISSN 1758-2652.
  • Wise, Jacqui (2020-07-03). "Remdesivir: US purchase of world stocks sparks new "hunger games," warn observers". BMJ. BMJ: m2661. doi:10.1136/bmj.m2661. ISSN 1756-1833.
  • Graham, Camilla S. (2020). "The Current Status of US and Global Access to Direct‐Acting Antiviral Regimens for Hepatitis C Virus Infection". Clinical Liver Disease. 16 (1). Wiley: 16–19. doi:10.1002/cld.925. ISSN 2046-2484.
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