Apotex Inc.'s recent lawsuit against Dr. Nancy Olivieri has been criticized by CAUT as a clear infringement on academic liberty. CAUT’s Executive Director, James Turk, expressed skepticism regarding the allegations made by Apotex, suggesting they seem more aimed at silencing Dr. Olivieri's discussions on matters of public significance than addressing actual grievances.
The root of the lawsuit dates back to an agreement made in 2004 between Olivieri and Apotex to resolve defamation accusations by both sides. As part of the agreement, Olivieri was not to speak ill of Apotex or its medication, deferiprone. Despite the Ontario Superior Court's Justice George Strathy instructing Apotex to adhere to this settlement in 2008, which included an $800,000 payment to Olivieri, Apotex initiated a fresh lawsuit in November against Olivieri, accusing her of breaching this clause. This new lawsuit remains unaffected by Justice Strathy’s previous order.
Olivieri has consistently refuted these claims, asserting she has not violated the agreement. Apotex's claims, as outlined in their lawsuit, offer a wide interpretation of "disparagement." They reference everything from Wikipedia information about Olivieri, media articles spotlighting her, to announcements about a potential film narrative titled "The Nancy Olivieri Story."
Interestingly, several of Apotex's allegations seem to hinge merely on Dr. Olivieri’s presence or participation in conferences discussing the dynamics between academic institutions and the larger pharmaceutical sector, emphasizing themes like academic freedom and potential conflicts of interest in scientific research.
Turk voiced deep concerns over Apotex's stance, pointing out the irony that a company that prides itself on research seems dismissive of the fundamental tenets of academic freedom. He further encouraged the academic community and the public to rally behind Dr. Olivieri in the face of this concerning legal battle.
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