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The protection of biological weapons-related intellectual property is discussed, focusing on the creation of Article X under the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). Topics include suggested changes to international patent laws, and the effects of patent laws on the global society.

Byline: Sachin Chaturvedi The recent expansion of Indian biotechnology industry backed by strong R&D allocations sets the upward movement of the industry on a new growth trajectory intertwined with innovation and entrepreneurship. This is most likely to take off Indian biopharma industry from 'bio-generics' and 'bio-similars' to a higher pedestal where it may develop 'proprietary processes', carving a new niche for the growth of the sector, giving further push to R&D-intensive activities. The issue is how National Innovation System (NIS), which could provide initial manpower and financial support to the sector, responds to the growing specialisation of the Indian biopharma and help evolve new strategies to sustain the growth in the high-end biopharma sector.

Byline: Sachin Chaturvedi The introduction of genetically modified products has raised several issues related to safety, labelling and identifying preservation. These concerns have trade specific implications as well. This paper makes an effort to take stock of broad institutional arrangements which have come up to address some of these concerns viz. a viz. trade obligations. In this context, the role of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) is also analysed. Some of the provisions of CPB are in direct conflict with the WTO agreement on Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary Measures (SPS). This poses severe policy challenges to countries like India where the pace of agricultural exports has risen very recently.