Strong IP is propelling innovation and saving lives

Each day, new medicines are being researched and developed that save lives and improve patients’ quality of life. As the global epicenter of life science innovation and technological breakthroughs, America’s biopharmaceutical researchers are leading the charge by breaking down old barriers and creating new, groundbreaking approaches to fighting diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s.

In a new series, PhRMA is highlighting the stories of doctors and researchers who are leading the way when it comes to the development of new approaches to curing diseases and helping patients lead longer, healthier lives. In a firsthand video, Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Dr. Michael Giordano, head of Oncology Development, Dr. Francis Cuss, Chief Scientific Officer and Dr. Nils Lonberg, Senior Vice President for Oncology Discovery Biology, discuss how advances in immunotherapy are revolutionizing cancer care.

Rather than killing cancer cells directly with traditional tools like radiation or chemotherapy, immunotherapy seeks to harness the immune system’s power to eliminate the cancer or slow its growth and ability to spread. Research shows immunotherapy is improving outcomes and survival rates for some patients, including kidney and lung cancer.

The technological and innovative discoveries that are driving improved patient care are due to the spirit of risk taking and outside-the-box thinking encouraged in labs across America. They are empowered by an intellectual property framework that ensures the developers of new cures have the systemic confidence to pursue their dreams and curiosity. A strong IP system is the bedrock on which all technological advances are based – it provides security for inventors and the assurance that investments in the future will be safe.

New research is leading directly to the discovery of tomorrow’s life-changing and life-saving new medicines – treatments such as those in immunotherapy. Patents, data protections and periods of exclusivity are the tools necessary to supporting future R&D investments and, in turn, the discoveries that will save the lives of tomorrow.

As we look to the future of the patient care, it has never been as important to support a robust, strong approach to IP both in the United States, but among our trade partners and allies as well. In a 21^st century, globalized economy it is imperative that nations around the world work together to build an IP infrastructure that promotes innovation and patient care.