Even though IP has played a crucial role in developing and manufacturing vaccines for the current pandemic, some are calling for IP to be waived to facilitate preparations for future pandemics.
The WHO has a crucial role in coordinating the global response to pandemics and health emergencies, but this important work is undermined by strategic incoherence and an ideological approach to policymaking.
Despite the important role of intellectual property rights in incentivizing innovation, the patenting of pharmaceutical innovation is frequently accused of impeding access to medicine.
To ensure modern trade and investment can continue on non-discriminatory terms for everyone, the WTO should put Intellectual property first.
Understanding how exactly these structurally similar molecules work on the human body requires significant investments of time, money and expertise, write Jack Ellis and Philip Stevens.
Combining different drugs into a single pill can have enormous therapeutic benefits but research and development is difficult and costly, write Philip Stevens and Jack Ellis
Global IP rules need a refresh to take account of rapidly changing technology, write Philip Stevens and Nigel Cory.
The upgrading of India’s IP laws as a result of its WTO commitments has confounded sceptics by encouraging its generics companies to move towards innovation.
Over the past 20 years, WTO members have made great progress to reduce barriers to trade in sectors as diverse as agriculture and information technology.