Women worldwide will have greater access to RU 486 now that Hoechst AG, the German company which owned the drug and which had refused to market it beyond three European countries, has transferred worldwide (excluding the U.S.) patent rights on RU 486 without remuneration to Dr. Edouard Sakiz, the former CEO of Roussel Uclaf and a leader in the drug's development.

Feminist Majority Foundation President Eleanor Smeal praised the transfer of patent rights as good news for women and bad news for anti-abortion forces. "The transfer of RU 486 patent rights to Dr. Sakiz totally undercuts the anti-abortion boycott of Hoechst Marion Roussel products," said Smeal. "Now, with Dr. Sakiz in possession of RU 486 patent rights and at the helm of his own company, research finally will go forward on this medical breakthrough and women in more countries will be able to gain access to this safe, effective medical abortion method."

The Population Council will retain the patent rights in the United States for the development and distribution of mifepristone, which it received from Roussel Uclaf in May of 1994. The Population Council has faced many obstacles and delays in its efforts to bring RU 486 to the American market. Most recently, the Council acknowledged that the company which had agreed to manufacture the bulk ingredients for mifepristone had terminated their contract, which may cause additional delays in the drug's final approval by the Food and Drug Administration.

In an effort to fill the void in U.S. availability of mifepristone, Larry Lader announced that his group, Abortion Rights Mobilization (ARM), with support from the John Merck Fund, would expand clinical trials on ARM's version of the drug to clinics in New York, Texas, Maryland, and Florida as a part of ongoing clinical trials. Trials are already underway in Nebraska, Vermont, Montana, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle. Lader anticipates that as many as 10,000 women will have access to mifepristone through the trials.

Hoechst AG had halted marketing of RU 486 as a method of early abortion and was only grudgingly supplying the compound as a method of early abortion in France, Great Britian and Sweden. Moreover, the German pharmaceutical giant also had put a stop to research on all of the drug's non-abortion indications including breast cancer, endometriosis, and fibroid tumors. "We could not be more pleased that Hoechst has given up its rights to this important medication, which the company has tried to block at every step of the way," said Smeal.

Dr. Sakiz told the Wall Street Journal, "We've got to take this step, because the product is worth it. It is a magnificent French discovery, which I don't want to see buried." Switzerland, Belgium, and Finland were cited as several of the countries which were unable to secure mifepristone under Hoechst that may now be able to access the compound which will be produced by Sakiz's new company, Exelgyne. Any profits from mifepristone sales will be used to further the compound's development.

Exelgyne will be able to assume distribution of mifepristone in the fall, according to Sakiz. Until that time, Roussel Uclaf will continue to provide the drug from pre-existing supplies.

The announcement of the transfer of patent rights to Dr. Sakiz came just a week after anti-abortion organizations had launched a boycott of Hoechst's new allergy medication, Allegra, although the agreement with Dr. Sakiz had been underway for more than a month. Hoechst relinquished the rights saying only that the patent transfer would enable Hoechst "to focus its research, development, and marketing efforts on those areas that represent the best opportunities to support the company's growth." In numerous media interviews, however, Hoechst officials also stated that the $3.5 million annual profit from RU 486 did not merit risking $1.63 billion U.S. business interests to the abortion controversy.

Dr. Sakiz holds both an M.D. and Ph.D. He provided both scientific and business leadership for Roussel Uclaf for over 30 years, serving as head of biological research (1966-1969), director of research (1969-1972), a member of the general management executive committee (1972-1974), a member of the executive board of directors (1974-1978), vice president directorate (1978-1981), and CEO (1981-1993). Sakiz chaired Roussel Uclaf's Board of Supervisors from 1994 until April 1997, when he stepped down to form Exelgyne and to assume RU 486 patent rights. As an endocrinologist, Dr. Sakiz led the development of mifepristone.

Recognized internationally as a leading proponent of women's equality and women's health, Dr. Sakiz, along with his colleague Dr. Catherine Euvrard, received the Feminist Majority Foundation's 1994 Feminist of the Year Award for bringing RU 486 to the United States and for promoting women's equality in the corporate world.

Catherine Euvrard, a prominent figure in the struggle for RU 486 and a 1994 Feminist of the Year, has stepped down as Director of Communications and Scientific Relations for Roussel Uclaf. In her 20 years at Roussel Uclaf, Dr. Euvrard both aided the scientific development of RU 486 and played a major leadership role in its worldwide advancement. Dr. Euvrard, who holds a doctorate in pharmacology, joined Roussel Uclaf in 1977 to direct their Neurochemistry Laboratory. She assumed the post of Director of Scientific Relations in 1982 and Director of Communications in 1987.

A strong women's rights advocate, Dr. Euvrard received recognition as a Feminist of the Year Award in 1994 for her work in expanding the availability of mifepristone and her leadership in improving opportunities for women at Roussel Uclaf. In 1995, Dr. Euvrard was awarded the coveted Chevalier dans l'Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur (the sign of the Knight in the Legion of Honor) from the Government of France. Dr. Euvrard also was a member of the Feminist Majority Foundation's delegation to the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China in 1995.

The Feminist Majority Foundation commends Catherine Euvrard for her outstanding work on mifepristone and for her unrelenting commitment to feminism. We wish her our very best in her future endeavors, which will no doubt continue to benefit women worldwide.