Stem cell profit rules urged

Biotech companies that commercialize taxpayer-funded stem cell research would have to plan to sell the drugs at the "lowest available U.S. commercial price" to low-income Californians, a task force recommended Monday to a citizens group that oversees the state's $3 billion stem cell program.
During a four-hour session at Stanford University, the group also recommended that research grant recipients return 25 percent of income they receive from commercially licensing their stem cell breakthroughs to the state's general fund.

In still another break from federal policy that typically governs such "intellectual property" transactions, members suggested that researchers generally seek nonexclusive licenses for their inventions to provide the maximum potential for fast commercial breakthroughs. Typically, private companies seek exclusive rights to develop a product generated from public research funds.
"Three different companies might pursue that technology three different ways," said Dr. Francisco Prieto, a diabetes specialist at Sutter Medical Group in Elk Grove and task force member who supported the idea.

Monday's recommendations could prove a key turning point in a contentious debate over how Californians and the public treasury will benefit...