GlaxoSmithKline is discussing HIV patent pool, executive tells U.K. newspaper

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Local Tech Wire

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – An executive at says the pharmaceutical giant is in fact interested in possibly joining a patent pool for HIV drugs.

In a letter to the U.K. Guardian, Chris Strutt, senior vice president of government affairs, public policy and patient advocacy, disputed claims that GSK was not interested. He also said GSK is “no way complacent about HIV.”

“In fact, Unitaid’s own progress report references two meetings with GSK in May and July of this year, and we are open to further meetings,” Strutt wrote. “We have not ruled out the possibility of participating in the pool, but have yet to see any real proposal that provides benefits beyond GSK’s existing approach.”

Strutt also noted that GSK had already created a patent pool for “neglected tropical diseases” that “demonstrates our flexible approach to intellectual property rights.”

For the full text of the letter,

GSK maintains its U.S. headquarters in the Triangle and employs some 4,000 people in the region.