The seminar covers current global issues in the development, introduction and use of health and agbiotechnologies, with emphasis on innovation management, the interface of the public and private sectors and public-private partnerships, and developing country issues with special consideration to the needs of the poor. Specifically, students will understand:

· the principal issues in innovation management and the development, introduction, access and use of health and agricultural technologies;

· the roles played by the public and private sectors with respect to these issues (where “public sector” includes government, international and multilateral institutions, non-governmental organizations, universities, and not-for-profit research institutes) and how various institutional frameworks effect impact;

· the constraints and opportunities for more rapid progress in enabling developing countries to benefit from new innovations including “global access” issues related to new drugs and vaccines; and

· the interplay of policies and laws related to the determinants of innovation (R&D, regulatory, contract law and intellectual property management, manufacturing, national markets and distribution system, and trade in technologies and products).

The overall intellectual framework for addressing and understanding the issues will be analyzed and tested against various case studies. Legal and regulatory matters, the legislative frameworks, national and global policy considerations, and business aspects will be covered through a mix of short lectures, analysis of scientific papers, extensive student discussions and a negotiated case study.

Emphasis will be placed on “strategy” and upon providing information that will facilitate pursuing international careers either directly or indirectly such as by conducting research, providing legal services, formulating corporate or governmental policy, or managing and leading public or private organizations.

Students may elect to work in small groups on a) a term paper (review paper), b) a series of blogs on class related subject matters, or c) on a small research project also related to the class subject matter. Within these assignments, which need to be completed during the spring semester, students may elect the 2 grade option or a 3 grade option (with a more substantial review paper, additional blogs, or a more substantive research project).

Additional Information:
Credit Hours: 2/3
Grading Option: Numeric Grade and ONE-Time Pass Option is Available, or Letter Grade Only
Written Assignment: 40%
Graduation Writing Requirement: No
Flexible/Upper-Level Writing Requirement: No
Skills Requirement: No
Simulation Course: No
Experiential Learning: No
Seminar: No
Special Withdrawal Course: No
Final Exam Given: No
Paper Or In-Class Presentation: 30% Scientific Paper Presentations and Discussion
Participation Points: 30% of Overall Grade
Attendance Policy: Per Statement Of Student Policies

* The law school has a policy that is used to calculate credit hours. Please see the Statement of Student Policies.