Western pharmaceutical companies, many of which have received government support to develop vaccines, strongly oppose the transfer of intellectual property to make them. Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer Inc, said https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/today-i-sent-letter-have-candid-conversation-our-drivers-bourla/?trackingId=p8C%2Fu3lALltT9tyeCAaSzA%3D%3D on Friday that the proposed waiver would disrupt progress made so far in boosting vaccine supplies. “It will unleash a scramble for the critical inputs we require in order to make a safe and effective vaccine. China has high ambitions for its pharma industry and already is developing its own mRNA vaccine. Patents themselves are publicly accessible, noted James Pooley, intellectual property attorney and former deputy director general of the United Nations’ World Intellectual Property Organization.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 08, 2021 21:19 UTC