(ATN) Passive Immunotherapy: Patent Dispute Impedes Research

(ATN) Passive Immunotherapy: Patent Dispute Impedes Research

AIDS TREATMENT NEWS No. 092 - December 1, 1989
John S. James

An important study of passive immunotherapy by Marcus Conant, M. D. in San Francisco may be halted by a patent dispute between two rival companies. Recently Medicorp, of Montreal, Quebec, obtained a broadly-worded patent for passive immunotherapy--a treatment consisting of plasma transfusions from selected donors with high levels of anti-HIV antibodies, to recipients who need the antibodies. In a November 28 letter from its attorneys, Medicorp refused a request from Immutech, a small Solano Beach, CA company working with Dr. Conant, for permission to use passive immunotherapy. After months of preparation, Dr. Conant had obtained California approval and was ready to begin the trial, designed to treat 40 people, some who are very sick. There is no placebo arm in this study.

AIDS activists are considering a legal challenge to the patent through the patent office. They may also prepare a wrongful death lawsuit, to be brought against Medicorp if anyone dies while waiting for treatment.

For more information, see the letter from Jesse Dobson of ACT UP/San Francisco, published in The San Francisco Bay Times, December 1.

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