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Selected Companies with Interest in Antarctic Micro-Organisms

Year Country Title Summary
Global Principles on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing for Participating Institutions The "Principles on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing for participating institutions" were developed under the auspices of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, involving 28 botanic gardens from 21 countries.
Global International Plant Exchange Network IPEN is a registration system open for botanic gardens that adopt a common policy (Code of Conduct) regarding access to genetic resources and sharing of the resulting benefits. It was developed by the Verband Botanischer GŠrten (an association of gardens in German speaking countries) and was taken over by the European Consortium of Botanic Gardens.
Global Micro-Organisms Sustainable use and Access regulation International Code of Conduct (MOSAICC) MOSAICC is a voluntary Code of Conduct, a tool to support the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, Rio de Janeiro 5 June 1992) at the microbial level, in accordance with other relevant rules of international and national laws. Access to microbial genetic resources (MGRs) is a prerequisite for the advancement of microbiology. Furthermore, monitoring the transfer of MGRs is necessary to identify the individuals or groups that are entitled to be scientifically or financially rewarded for their contribution to the conservation and sustainable use of the MGRs. MOSAICC combines the need for easy transfer of MGRs and the need to monitor the transfer of MGRs.
Global International Potato Center (CIP) The International Potato Center, or CIP (Centro Internacional de la Papa), is one of the 16 international agricultural centres belonging to the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Eleven of these Future Harvest Centres are "in-trust" centres. This means that they have signed an agreement with the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to hold "in trust" for humanity genetic resources that are critical for the food security of the world. CIP is responsible for holding "in trust" the genetic resources for potatoes, sweet potatoes and Andean root and tuber crops (Ulluco, Yacon, Ahipa, Oca, Mashua, Maca, Arracha, Achira, and Mauka). The CGIAR Centres are research centres. The primary benefits shared with the international community are information and knowledge on genetic resources: global public goods that will contribute to the alleviation of hunger and poverty through sustainable production systems. For example, the operational costs for the basic conservation of the Andean Root and Tuber collection (the smallest collection), which CIP and Switzerland agreed to take on together, are $200,000 per year. That is just physically maintaining (i.e., reproducing) the collection and does not include new collections, cleaning-up, distribution, research or staff time.
Global The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) contracts database WIPO is currently in the process of compiling an on-line, searchable database of biodiversity-related Access and Benefit-Sharing Agreements, with a particular emphasis on the intellectual property aspects of such agreements. The database contains a number of model ABS agreements as well as actual agreements.
Global Model Contract Outline From the document Best Practice Standard and Guidance for Implementing Genetic Resource Access and Benefit Sharing Activities, this outline provides a list of issues to address and language to consider in a biodiversity prospecting agreement.
Global The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) ABS case studies The CBD Secretariat has compiled case studies related to ABS submitted by Governments, international agencies, research institutions, representatives of indigenous and local communities and non-governmental organizations. These case studies include practical examples of ABS arrangements in different parts of the world.
Global ABS Options in the PACS - Baseline Study for EPA Negotiations with the EU This report presents a baseline study on opportunities under an ABS Arrangement in the utilisation of Pacific ACP Genetic Resources which could be used by the Pacific African-Caribbean Pacific States (PACPS) for negotiating a framework for Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU). This study was commissioned by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and completed by the United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies between April and May 2007. The study is based on a desktop review of the international and regional ABS context.
2000 Brazil Bioamazonia-Novartis Agreement In 2000, Bioamaz™nia signed an agreement with NovartisPharma AG which allowed the latter exclusive access to Amazonia's biodiversity. It allowed Novartis to have access to up to 10,000 samples from the Amazonia biota. It also gave the company rights over the commercial products developed from Amazonian plants and microorganisms. Over a three year period, Novartis agreed to pay Bioamaz™nia some US$ 4 million, as well as one percent of royalties from any drugs developed. This agreement was subsequently challenged and suspended.
1991 Costa Rica Merck-INBio Agreement INBio provides Merck with a limited number of plant, fungal and environmental samples from Costa Rica's protected areas for scientific evaluation. Samples are collected and processed into extracts by INBio scientists and field professionals in Costa Rica, then screened by Merck scientists in the United States and Spain for potential use as human and animal medicines. InBio provided 10,000 biological samples to Merck, in exchange for US$1,135,000 (i.e. about US$113 per sample). Merck committed to pay royalties (between 2 and 6%) on commercial products obtained with the prospected biological resources. While Merck has exclusive rights in exploitation of the samples for 2 years, InBio finances a part of the complete inventory of the biological diversity of Costa-Rica. A minimum of 10% of the research funding is allotted to the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) for use in environmental preservation and non-destructive development of conserved natural resources.
2004 Ethiopia Ethiopian Government - Health and Performance Food International Teff Agreement In this 10-year agreement, the IBC provides access to teff to HPFI for the purpose of developing non-traditional Teff based food and beverage products. Annual payments include a license fee and a royalty of 30% of the net profit from the sale of basic and certified seeds of the teff varieties. The company is also required to contribute 5% of its net profit (which shall not be less than 20,000 Euro per year) to Financial Resource Support for Teff (FIRST).
Gabon Pro-Natura Biodivalor contract Wherever possible Pro-Natura works with local counterpart organisations, using their contact with local people as a two-way conduit. Initially they assess the most appropriate way in which to work in the particular region. Once this has been done, Pro-Natura provides two precious commodities: money and scientifically based technical support.Bioprospecting agreements have proved a very useful means of achieving its objectives. It has developed a standard contract under its Biodivalor programme, which is again based on the Biodiversity Convention. Its contract with Hoechst Marion Roussel (now part of Aventis) established a relationship between the company, Pro-Natura International and the countries providing access to the natural environment. In some cases Pro-Natura and its local collaborating NGO actually collect the samples; in others the participating companies prefer to send their own scientists.
1998 India Kani-TBGRI Jeevni A lead provided by a tribal community, Kani tribe, inhabiting the Southern-Western Ghat region of Kerala State in India, relating to the anti-fatigue properties of a wild plant Trichopus zeylanicus has led to bioprospecting and development of a scientifically validated drug "Jeevni" by the Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI). After negotiations with various interested parties, the manufacturing licenca of "Jeevni" was transferred to the Aryavaidya Pharmacy, Colmbatore Ltd. For a licenca fee of Rs. 10 lakhs for a period of 7 years with 2.0% royalty at ex-factory sales price. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) norms were adopted for the technology transfer in November 1995. The TBGRI inconsultation with the tribal community has worked out an arrangement for benefit sharing. According to this arrangement, the TBGRI has agreed to share 5o% of the licence fee and royalty with the tribal community.
Mexico Chiapas-University of Georgia Agreement The University of Georgia developed an arrangement for distributing profits from the research among the partiesinvolved which included setting up a trust for local Mayan people. and a non-profit association, Promotion of the Intellectual Property Rights of the Highland Maya of Chiapas, Mexico (PROMAYA) to equitably distribute any funds resulting fromthe proposed project.
2005 Peru Convenio CIP-Parque de la Papa [Potato Park Agreement] This agreement addresses the repatriation, restoration and monitoring of agrobiodiversity of native potatoes and associated community knowledge systems. It is between The Association of Communities in the Potato Park, represented by the Association for Nature and Sustainable Development (ANDES) and The International Potato Centre (CIP). The agreement ensures that genetic resources and knowledge remain under the custody of the communities and do not become subject to intellectual property rights in any form. It includes participatory research on the flow and evolution of diversity, classification, variation and geographical distribution, and management of materials repatriated to the Park, issues related to the continuity of in situ and ex situ conservation, and other activities. The Park is responsible for getting informed consent for redistribution to native groups, maintaining viable genetic material and providing access to it. The CIP is responsible for making genetic material available for repatriation and providing technical assistance to the Park. The parties agree that possible benefits arising from the activities using repatriated materials for food and agriculture, should in the first instance be used to develop and improve the broader functions of the Park and its services, such as those which benefit the communities in general, the region, and the country.
2003 South Africa San-!Khoba CSIR/Phytopharm Hoodia project In 1963, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa included Hoodia Gordonii, a Kalahari desert cactus, in a research project on edible plants based on the ethnobotany of the San. Hoodia has been used for centuries by the San to suppress the appetite during long hunting trips. In 1999, the CSIR signed an historical bioprospecting agreement with South African Traditional Healers, and was invited by the United Nations to present details at the Lyon Summit on Trade and Development, which was renegotiated in 2003. The benefit sharing agreement signed with the San states that "both parties commit themselves to the conservation of biodiversity by, inter alia, applying legal "best practices" with the collection of any plant species for observation, and by ensuring that no negative environmental impacts flow from the proposed bioprospecting collaboration". The agreement also acknowledges the importance of traditional knowledge. The benefit sharing agreement will also benefit the San financially: the CSIR will pay the San 8% of all milestone payments it receives from Phytopharm as well as 6% of all royalties that the CSIR receives once the drug is commercially available. Existing CSIR study bursaries and scholarships have also been made available to the San and talks will be held to agree future bioprospecting for the benefit of both parties.
2005 Thailand BIOTEC-Novartis microorganism screening Novartis requested from BIOTEC microorganisms to be evaluated in drug screening programs and pure characterised or novel compounds from BIOTEC's library. Service fees and milestone payments were agreed upon. BIOTEC was looking to enhance capability to use bioresources and build capacity of its human resources. Between 2005-2008, Novartis provided nine three-month training slots in Novartis labs for BIOTEC staff; Novartis sent a microbiology expert to Thailand for two training periods (to develop isolation and identification skills of Thai scientists). BIOTEC considers the training and technology transfer more valuable than monetary compensation. The partnership enabled BIOTEC to automate and improve its extraction and chemical screening systems. Expertise in taxonomy and isolation of certain types of microorganisms acquired during the partnership enabled BIOTEC to discover 2,000 more microbial strains.
2008 Thailand BIOTEC-Novartis microorganism screening II Buoyed by the positive and encouraging results achieved by their Phase 1 Cooperation, Novartis, a world leader in pharmaceutical research and drug discovery, and the Thai government agency, BIOTEC, have agreed to take their partnership to the next level with the signing of the Phase II Cooperation that spans over a 3-year period, from June 2008- May 2011.