Conclusion of COP16 Negotiations on Multilateral Mechanism for Benefit-Sharing of DSI

On the conclusion of the COP16 negotiations on proposals to include digital sequence information (DSI) within the scope of the Convention of Biodiversity (CBD), IFPMA Director General, Dr. David Reddy, said:

"The pharmaceutical industry has long supported the Convention on Biological Diversity's objective to protect our natural world and will continue to engage in discussions on mechanisms that safeguard biodiversity while fostering scientific research and innovation".

Whilst payments into the Multilateral Mechanism for Benefit-Sharing are not legally required at this time, the decision adopted today does not get the balance right between the intended benefits of such a mechanism and the significant costs to society and science that it has the potential to create".

"The ability to rapidly use scientific data known as "digital sequence information" (DSI) is essential for developing new medicines and vaccines. Any new system should not introduce further conditions on how scientists access such data and add to a complex web of regulation, taxation and other obligations for the whole R&D ecosystem - including on academia and biotech companies. New technologies that use DSI can contribute to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and should be encouraged".

"Ahead of COP17, it is critical that governments work to ensure the implementation of any new mechanism on digital sequence information does not stifle the medical research and innovation that can bring the next wave of medical progress to people around the world."