Evaluation of technological development in health from the occurrence of the zika and chikungunya epidemics in Brazil

Abstract

This study aims to understand how the zika and chikungunya epidemics incited technological development. We surveyed epidemiological data and technological prospecting, using data from Brazilian National Institute of Industry Property (INPI) and Orbit Intelligence, and analyzed products developed/under development worldwide and products registered in Brazil by Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa). In 2016, the highest number of total cases was observed for both diseases. Brazil’s technological prospection revealed the existence of a global interest in developing technologies for these diseases and filing their patents in Brazil, with companies as the main depositors. Global technological prospecting showed that 2016 is an important milestone in the evolution of the number of patents for zika and chikungunya, suggesting that Brazilian epidemics stimulated the world in the development of new health inputs. The United States and China are the main jurisdictions, with universities as the largest depositors. Global product analysis revealed that only two products reached the market for zika and one for chikungunya, and vaccines are in the top category. A research in Anvisa revealed more products registered for zika compared to chikungunya. The main legal manufacturers are Brazilian companies, with DiaSorin S.p.A., Eco Diagnóstica Ltda., and Chembio Diagnostics Brazil Ltda. leading the registration requests. Despite the visible stimulus to research, development, and patenting generated by the zika and chikungunya epidemics in Brazil, such stimulus did not guarantee the arrival of new products on the market and population access to these products.