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. 

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. Dr Bryan Deane

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

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Last modified: 26 September 2023

Last reviewed: 26 September 2023

The ABPI exists to make the UK the best place in the world to research, develop and use new medicines. We represent companies of all sizes who invest in discovering the medicines of the future. 

Our members supply cutting edge treatments that improve and save the lives of millions of people. We work in partnership with Government and the NHS so patients can get new treatments faster and the NHS can plan how much it spends on medicines. Every day, we partner with organisations in the life sciences community and beyond to transform lives across the UK.