Material Transfer Agreements and Open Science in the Genome Era. Research paradigms are changing rapidly in the Genome Era. Open access databases are increasingly popular and are required by public funding agencies. The role of material transfer agreements (MTAs) in this open access era is not clear. This project aims to assess the extent to which MTAs facilitate exchanges of biological materials between organisation in Australia and internationally. The project will assess whether MTAs are refl ....Material Transfer Agreements and Open Science in the Genome Era. Research paradigms are changing rapidly in the Genome Era. Open access databases are increasingly popular and are required by public funding agencies. The role of material transfer agreements (MTAs) in this open access era is not clear. This project aims to assess the extent to which MTAs facilitate exchanges of biological materials between organisation in Australia and internationally. The project will assess whether MTAs are reflecting the open data access movement or maintaining traditional closed proprietary practices. The project will make policy, ethical and legal recommendations for the development of MTAs to promote exchange of materials nationally and internationally and to facilitate the developing collaborative research culture. Read moreRead less
Genomic data sharing: issues in law, research ethics and society. This project aims to provide recommendations for best practice regulation and governance of genomic data sharing in Australia. Sharing of genomic data is essential to biomedical research and clinical practice. Scenarios will be used to map legal and quasi legal facilitators issues including barriers to sharing, and to assess their role in promoting public trust, using evidence-based processes and law reform methodology. Developin ....Genomic data sharing: issues in law, research ethics and society. This project aims to provide recommendations for best practice regulation and governance of genomic data sharing in Australia. Sharing of genomic data is essential to biomedical research and clinical practice. Scenarios will be used to map legal and quasi legal facilitators issues including barriers to sharing, and to assess their role in promoting public trust, using evidence-based processes and law reform methodology. Developing more effective and efficient regulation of genomic data sharing will promote public trust and encourage broader data sharing, facilitating scientific progress and delivery of precision medicine.Read moreRead less
The innovation pool in Australian biotechnology: assessing strategies for fostering innovation through patenting and patent pooling. The current patent system was designed for a very different research environment than that in which the global biotechnology industry operates. Rather than facilitating innovation there is evidence that the system can unduly restrict R&D. Patent pooling is being promoted internationally as a way to facilitate innovation. However, potential pitfalls are also recogni ....The innovation pool in Australian biotechnology: assessing strategies for fostering innovation through patenting and patent pooling. The current patent system was designed for a very different research environment than that in which the global biotechnology industry operates. Rather than facilitating innovation there is evidence that the system can unduly restrict R&D. Patent pooling is being promoted internationally as a way to facilitate innovation. However, potential pitfalls are also recognised, and work is underway to develop appropriate regulation. Australia cannot afford to be left behind: urgent consideration must be given to the desirability of patent pooling and the regulatory changes that are required to allow it to function in the national interest. The proposed research will provide the data necessary to make informed decisions on this critical issue. Read moreRead less