TRIPS waiver deadlock continues; industry cites logistics, not IP barriers

Despite six months of discussion, a proposal to waive a swath of intellectual property obligations at the World Trade Organization to facilitate COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutics access is no closer to approval, with developed members, including the U.S., continuing to question whether it would be effective and if IP rights are indeed barriers. The answer to both questions, according to the pharmaceutical industry – and some intellectual property professionals – is no. The proposed waiver would do nothing to address...