(CNN) Germany is resisting momentum to lift patent protection for Covid-19 vaccines, saying Thursday that a US decision to support such waivers "has significant implications for vaccine production." US President Joe Biden said Wednesday the US would support the easing of patent rules on Covid-19 vaccines, potentially expanding global supplies, as a devastating wave envelops India and calls grow louder for rich countries to narrow the gap with the developing world. The World Health Organization has called for patents on Covid-19 vaccines to be temporarily lifted until the global health crisis is under control. But a German government spokeswoman said on Thursday that the "protection of intellectual property is a source of innovation" and the Biden administration's move would have "significant implications for vaccine production." "The limiting factor in vaccine manufacturing is production capacity and high quality standards, not patents," the spokeswoman said.

Source: CNN May 06, 2021 18:11 UTC