shutterstock_1513301072_bernsten
The COVID-19 IP agreement promises to enable developing countries more autonomy to produce and distribute vaccines, but it has attracted many critics, finds Sarah Speight.
After several days and sleepless nights, members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) finally agreed several key trade initiatives last week, including one that promises to suspend patent protection of the COVID-19 vaccines.
The agreement follows previous discussions between four key continents (the European Union, India, South Africa and the US) aimed at identifying “practical ways of clarifying, streamlining and simplifying how governments can override patent rights, under certain conditions, to enable diversification of production of COVID-19 vaccines”.
At 5am on June 17, a deal was reached between the 164 WTO members. The aims include tackling the inequality of resources seen earlier in the pandemic, due to countries’ differing levels of infrastructure and finances.
Life Sciences Intellectual Property Review (LSIPR) tracks the increasing challenges for intellectual property specialists in the rapidly evolving world of life sciences. From gene patents to stem cell research, we provide the very best news and analysis.
To continue reading this article and to access 4,500+ articles, our digital magazines and special reports published for LSIPR subscribers only then you will need a subscription.
If you are already subscribed please login.
Official LSIPR subscribers include:
Allen & Overy
Arnold & Siedsma
Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch LLP (BSKB)
Carpmaels & Ransford
Cooley
European Patent Office
Finnegan LLP
GH Research
Gowling WLG
George Washington Law School
HGF Limited
IQVIA
Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
Marks & Clerk
Mintz Levin
NiKang Therapeutics Inc.
Powell Gilbert LLP
Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP
Taylor Wessing
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Valea AB
World Intellectual Property Office
For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription we can add you into for FREE, please contact Atif at achoudhury@newtonmedia.co.
If you have any technical issues please email tech support.
WTO, Covid, Vaccines, waiver, patents