Ellen 't Hoen

Ellen 't Hoen, at UNITAID Market Forum, April 7, 2014

Ellen 't Hoen is a prominent Dutch lawyer and public health advocate known for her work in the field of access to medicines and intellectual property. She has played a significant role in shaping policies and initiatives aimed at improving access to essential medicines in developing countries.

Early Life and Education

Ellen 't Hoen was born in the Netherlands. She pursued her higher education in law and later specialized in intellectual property law and public health.

Career

Ellen 't Hoen has held various influential positions throughout her career. She has worked with several international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Her work primarily focuses on the intersection of intellectual property and public health, advocating for policies that ensure affordable access to essential medicines.

Médecins Sans Frontières

During her tenure at Médecins Sans Frontières, Ellen 't Hoen was instrumental in the establishment of the Access Campaign, which aims to improve access to life-saving medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics for people in need.

Medicines Patent Pool

Ellen 't Hoen is also the founder of the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), an organization that works to increase access to, and facilitate the development of, life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries. The MPP negotiates with patent holders to share their patents with generic manufacturers, thereby reducing the cost of medicines.

Publications and Advocacy

Ellen 't Hoen has authored numerous articles and reports on intellectual property and access to medicines. Her publications are widely recognized and have contributed significantly to the global discourse on public health and intellectual property rights.

Awards and Recognition

Ellen 't Hoen has received several awards for her contributions to public health and access to medicines. Her work has been acknowledged by various international organizations and she continues to be a leading voice in the field.

See Also

• Access to medicines
• Intellectual property
• Public health
• Medicines Patent Pool
• Médecins Sans Frontières