Le Devoir December 2, 2001 Dr. Martin Godbout Protecting genomics research: ensuring Canada is a world leader While announcing the recent sequencing of the human genome, former US President Bill Clinton expressed the hope that “our children's children would only know the term "cancer" as a constellation in the sky”. This achievement, without a doubt extraordinary, has since then also shed light on the importance of strong intellectual property protection (IPP) in the health science research arena -- and in the burgeoning field of genomics in particular. Often misunderstood, genomics research is today generating as many questions – both ethical and scientific – as it is answers. What is clear, however, is that genomics is rapidly elevating our ability to create medicines that intervene and prevent diseases, not simply address the symptoms. New drug therapies, improved diagnostics, personalized medicines, healthier more nutritious foods, more bountiful crop yields, and a cleaner environment are just some of the benefits deriving from genomics research, a science that will undoubtedly transform our lives in ways that today are unimaginable. Hypertension, one of the most common diseases of the 21st century, is just one example where genomics is playing a key role. With over $1 billion sales in Canada alone, anti-hypertensive drugs are the single most prescribed medication group. Some research, however, has demonstrated that as many as 40 per cent of those receiving conventional medications either don’t respond to the medication, or suffer side effects resulting in hospitalization or even death. Genomics researchers are working hard to find the genetic markers that will tell us who is in that 40 per cent group. Armed with that information, we will be better able to predict which patient will respond positively, or worse, negatively. By looking at how variances in genes can affect a person’s response to a drug (pharmacogenomics), the most appropriate patient population will be matched to the most specific drug, thereby improving efficiency, reducing side effects, avoiding hospitalizations and saving great costs to the healthcare system. This is only one example of the potential health benefits of genomics. As an industry, genomics is in its infancy. Yet as with all new industries, appropriate 7policies must exist that not only nurtures its growth, but which also safeguards against abuse and which protects the health and well-being of those who use of these new treatments and technologies. Patent protection is one of the essential ingredients for developing a strong genomics research-driven industry in Canada while ensuring that the health and well being of Canadians remains a priority. The fact is that without adequate intellectual property protection, individuals and industrial partners would neither invest in, nor undertake the risks associated with the expensive research & development processes in Canada or other countries. By introducing legislation to ensure that Canada adhered to its international obligations regarding patent protection has resulted in pharmaceutical research & development spending in Canada alone increasing faster than in any other industrialized country – up by more than 700 per cent in a little over a decade, from $60 million in 1987 to $1 billion in 2000. And that’s without taking into account the burgeoning biopharmaceutical sector. Critics of Canada’s patent protection laws claim that patents are designed to block access and limit choice. And yet, by enforcing strong IPP, more medicines and treatments are being developed now than ever before. Let’s not forget that many breakthrough medications have also been the result of Canadian research and innovation, including the discovery of 3TC, which, arguably, has changed the course of treatment for HIV/AIDS. We need only to look at Canada’s hospitals and recognize that significant savings are being realized as a result of innovative health research for the simple reason that Canadians are spending less time in them and more time recovering at home. As the country considers the ever-increasing cost of medicines and its value in the healthcare system, it should be clear that Innovation must continue to be fostered if we are to benefit from the vast potential of the new research technologies, be it genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics or other specialized fields. We cannot overlook the role IPP has also played in building Canada’s biopharmaceutical industry, which today approximates $2 billion in revenues – a significant increase over 2000. This biotech sector in Canada is growing four times faster than in any other G7 economy. In the last five years alone, more than 200 biopharmaceutical companies have been created, 60 of which are genomics companies. During the same period, venture capital investments has risen from a lowly $200 million to $1.2 billion. Today, more than 370 products are under development, and research being conducted in industries and universities and other institutions in Canada is among the most competitive in the world. Ongoing innovations in health research can only be sustained by protecting the patents of individuals and organizations who have invested the countless years and tens of millions of dollars to create the breakthrough treatments that will help enhance and sustain life as never before. But more than that, for Canadians to have a voice in how this new frontier of sciences is to be governed and regulated, we must be leaders and not followers. We must have a stake in the outcome of the discussion and ensure that, as Canadians, our values are represented at the table. Collaboration among researchers, legislators, regulators, members of the healthcare profession, drug companies and the public will be required for personalized medicine to become a reality in Canada. For Canada to compete globally and successfully attract research investments, we must, together, continue to ensure that Canadians embrace the goal of creating a research environment second to none. Dr. Martin Godbout is President and Chief Executive Officer of Genome Canada, a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to genomics research