We have a specific and central role in helping to promote innovation in many fields and to manage the deployment of our innovations for the public benefit. In the field of biomedical research, law, social sciences and other disciplines which can positively affect the health of populations, the moral imperative to act is clear.

Each year millions of people in developing countries die of treatable diseases because they cannot access medicines that already exist, many of which are discovered on our university campuses. As academics and individuals associated with the university research enterprise, we find this unacceptable. While we recognize that there are many solutions that need to be taken to bring about transformative change in the health condition of the poor and other marginalized populations, we also recognize that universities can have an immediate impact on global access to medicines.

We therefore call on universities to adopt flexible technology transfer policies that will ensure that medicines discovered on campus or with public funding are available at low-cost in developing countries. Such policies must be set by academic Faculties, in open forums with input from patient advocates, students, and the broader public. Further, universities must deepen collaboration with universities in low to middle income settings in recognition of the need for two-way dialogue and joint agenda setting. This will ensure that the policies serve the public good and reflect the values of the university community. We also commit ourselves to proactively push for adoption of such patenting and licensing policies on our campuses through evidence-based action while extending our knowledge to students through research and academic rigour.