Vaccine patents accord possible in 'weeks': WTO
economictimes.indiatimes.com
Developing countries that are lagging behind in vaccinating their populations have been pushing for waivers on the patents, or intellectual property rights, on Covid-19 vaccines as they say this would help spur local production.

“We hope that within the next few weeks we can have a breakthrough” on what has been a bone of contention for months, WTO leader Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told a press conference.

“We believe there could be a sensible landing zone, a sensible compromise solution that would allow developing countries more access to technology transfer and IP whilst protecting innovation and research, not discouraging it,” she added.

While a deal could be reached soon, it may not happen before the EU-African Union summit on February 17-18 in Brussels, said Okonjo-Iweala.

This wobbly opening comes more than one year after India and South Africa’s request to temporarily lift TRIPS agreements on pandemic-related medical technologies