Brazilian Sofosbuvir: Intersectorial Network Building to Defend Right to Health and the Public Domain

• In Event: Science and Technological Innovation in the Re-making of Public Policy and Governance Across Global and Local Space

Abstract

Sofosbuvir is a direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drug that caused a revolution in Hepatitis C treatment, taking cure rates from 50% to 97%. However, patents over sofosbuvir created a monopolistic situation, where a sole company, Gilead Sciences, could exclusively explore the global market and fix high prices. In Brazil, a consortium comprised by one public and two private (small and medium sized) laboratories developed a local version of sofosbuvir, using national technology and knowledge acquired in the last 20 years (from copying ARV and other sophisticated medicines). The study was based on observation (laboratorial work, street demonstrations, court auditions), interviews and literature. For STS, the case is relevant as many sectors of society engaged together in the protection of public domain against Gilead patenting endeavors. In the name of access and the right to health, it associated human rights activists, patient NGOs, juridical officers, biomedical experts, etc. The Brazilian government has also made real movements towards purchasing the Brazilian generic version of sofosbuvir. Finally, in mid-2018, a sofosbuvir patent was granted, inaugurating a judicial battle that had its apex when presidential candidates address this issue during the campaign and even filled a case against the granting of the patent to the Supreme Court. This unprecedented dispute, at some point, has resemblances with HIV/AIDS because of formal and informal networks that arose from the urgent need to treat people. This drive both in HIV/AIDS and HCV cases have had spill over in the industrial, sociopolitical and public health aspects in Brazil.

Authors

• Pedro Henrique Villardi, ABIA - Brazilian AIDS Interdisciplinary Association / Working Group on Intellectual Property

• Marilena Corrêa, Institute of Social Medicine, State University of Rio de Janeiro