ABPI statement on intellectual property protection and COVID-19

ABPI has responded to calls for intellectual property (IP) rights to be waived in relation to COVID-19. 

Dr Bryan Deane, Director of New Medicines and Data policy at the ABPI said: 

"Industry is working to research, develop and manufacture COVID-19 treatments and vaccines for patients around the world. IP is not a barrier to this. In fact IP has fostered innovation in recent years – including for COVID-19. 

"When it comes to global supply, increasing capacity requires the skills and technical know-how of the vaccine developer to be shared with partner manufacturing organisations, through voluntary licensing and tech-transfer agreements.  This is the only way to make sure the manufacturing process is replicated exactly every time, to the same standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

"This approach has already increased capacity for COVID-19 vaccines from  zero to 10bn doses in just a few months.

"Pharmaceutical companies will continue to work with partners, including through GAVI and COVAX, to support fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines."

Examples of how companies are working to aid the response to COVID-19 are here.