Namibian inventors intend to include Nust in alleged cancer treatment theft
Two Namibian inventors who in August sued the University of Namibia (Unam) for N$35 billion over alleged theft of their medicinal formula have now issued a notice of intention to take the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) to court over similar claims.
Michael Nenkavu and Benedictus Nashenda claim they created odhingila, a powdered formula said to treat cancer and other chronic ailments.
In their notice of intention to sue, the pair allege that Nust “deliberately misappropriated and commercialised our innovation without consent, acknowledgment, or compensation".
They further accuse the university of presenting odhingila at scientific conferences and to potential investors as though it were its own creation, which they say undermined their credibility and deprived them of lucrative partnerships.
Asked for comment, Nust said it had not yet been formally served with the notice.
“As such, the University is not in a position to comment on the matter at this time,” Nust told this publication.
Unam responds
When Namibian Sun previously reported on the lawsuit filed by the inventors, Unam had not formally responded at the time.
However, documents seen by Namibian Sun on Tuesday show that Unam has now filed a formal procedural response in the High Court.
The university labelled the inventors’ particulars of claim as vague, embarrassing, and lacking the necessary details to sustain a cause of action.
According to the documents, the university argues that the claim misapplies vicarious liability to the high education minister, seeks damages on behalf of Katakura Company CC—which is “not a party to these proceedings”—and fails to explain how they (Unam) are legally responsible for losses totaling N$35 billion.
The documents also note that the claim references a “Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreement entered into between the inventors and the University of Pretoria (UP),” questioning its relevance since Unam and its officials were not parties to that agreement.
The documents further say that Unam further attempted to explore an amicable resolution by proposing a roundtable meeting on 8 September, but the inventors responded that they would only act if ordered by the court.
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Michael Nenkavu and Benedictus Nashenda claim they created odhingila, a powdered formula said to treat cancer and other chronic ailments.
In their notice of intention to sue, the pair allege that Nust “deliberately misappropriated and commercialised our innovation without consent, acknowledgment, or compensation".
They further accuse the university of presenting odhingila at scientific conferences and to potential investors as though it were its own creation, which they say undermined their credibility and deprived them of lucrative partnerships.
Asked for comment, Nust said it had not yet been formally served with the notice.
“As such, the University is not in a position to comment on the matter at this time,” Nust told this publication.
Unam responds
When Namibian Sun previously reported on the lawsuit filed by the inventors, Unam had not formally responded at the time.
However, documents seen by Namibian Sun on Tuesday show that Unam has now filed a formal procedural response in the High Court.
The university labelled the inventors’ particulars of claim as vague, embarrassing, and lacking the necessary details to sustain a cause of action.
According to the documents, the university argues that the claim misapplies vicarious liability to the high education minister, seeks damages on behalf of Katakura Company CC—which is “not a party to these proceedings”—and fails to explain how they (Unam) are legally responsible for losses totaling N$35 billion.
The documents also note that the claim references a “Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreement entered into between the inventors and the University of Pretoria (UP),” questioning its relevance since Unam and its officials were not parties to that agreement.
The documents further say that Unam further attempted to explore an amicable resolution by proposing a roundtable meeting on 8 September, but the inventors responded that they would only act if ordered by the court.
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