March 28, 2001
Mark G. Yudof
Dear President Yudof,
I am writing in support of the fine work done by students at the University
of Minnesota on responsible use of the University's research on medicines
for life-threatening illnesses.
The University developed Abacavir, an AIDS medication marketed by
GlaxoSmithKline as Ziagen. Oxfam America asks you to show leadership by
exerting your strongest effort to ensure Abacavir reaches those who need it
most. Developing Abacavir was a fine example of the University of
Minnesota doing innovative research to benefit humanity and quite literally
save lives. But Abacavir is not now available on an affordable basis to
countries in sub-Saharan Africa. We trust you will agree the University's
job is only half done if people in poor countries are unable to use this
very useful medication due to its high cost.
At Oxfam, we strongly believe private firms like Glaxo have a moral
responsibility to show such leadership. You doubtless recognize that is
doubly true for a publicly funded educational institution. We ask that you
do everything in your power to ensure the university's intellectual
property rights will not pose a barrier to provision of Ziagen in Africa at
an affordable price, and that you use the University's patent rights and
moral standing to encourage GlaxoSmithKline to do so.
Specifically, we ask you to forego any licensing fees owed to the
University and speak out publicly to encourage GlaxoSmithKline to provide
Ziagen at a deeply discounted price in the poorest countries; or
alternatively assign the University's intellectual property rights to a
public entity such as the World Health Organization; and contribute a
portion of past royalties to the World Health Organization to be used for
HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in Africa.
We hope you will agree that there would be no better way for the University
to celebrate its sesquicentennial than to help the poorest region on earth
survive a fatal epidemic. Please do not hesitate to contact me through our
senior trade advocate, Severina Rivera, at (202) 496-1307. Please copy
your Ms. Amanda Swarr at (612) 827-8935 on any correspondence.
Sincerely,
Jo Marie Griesgraber, Ph.D.
President
University of Minnesota
202 MorH
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Fax 612/625-3875
Policy Director
Oxfam America