Apply to join ITPC’s Patent Opposition Academy

Applications are open to the Patent Oppositions Academy (the Academy) 2019-2021 for applicants living in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Morocco.

The Academy’s aim is to train people to practically contribute to achieving universal access to optimal and affordable HIV, Hepatitis C and TB treatment. The Academy will focus on the use of patent oppositions, one of the ‘TRIPS flexibilities’ recognised globally, including by UNAIDS, WHO and UNDP, as essential in increasing access to medicines.

It will not be possible to achieve a sustainable response to HIV, Hep C and TB without tackling intellectual property barriers. The aims of the Academy support Make Medicines Affordable’s goal of addressing the critical treatment gaps in many middle-income countries. 

Unless we close the gap, global targets, such as 90-90-90, sustainable development goal (SDG) 3, the WHO’s ‘treat all’ recommendation, and the commitment to universal access, will not be achievable.

The Academy is run by the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC), a global coalition of treatment activists. ITPC believes that the fight for treatment remains one of the most significant global social justice issues. The training will be delivered by ITPC and the following civil society partners: Brazilian Interdisciplinary AIDS Association (Brazil), Fundacíon GEP (Argentina), ITPC-LATCA (Guatemala), ITPC-MENA (Morocco).

Objective of the Academy

To build the capacity of local professionals or future professional interested in intellectual property issues and access to medicines, in the four countries. Knowledge acquired will be put into practice during the course, and candidates must show a commitment to continuing future, practical work in this area.

Candidates from across the areas of intellectual property, human rights, HIV, law, pharmaceuticals and chemistry are encouraged to apply. This includes young professionals, students and researchers.

See the full details here (in Spanish), including how to apply. Closing date is 9 September 2019.