Waiving IP rights for COVID-19 vaccines is dangerous for innovation, jobs and patients | Opinion – NorthJersey.com

Debbie Hart| Special to the USA TODAY Network

Biden: Proof of vaccination or COVID tests needed for federal workers

Federal employees will be required to show they are fully vaccinated or be forced to undergo regular COVID tests and submit to safety measures.

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Thank you, science.

Three simple words capturethe powerful impact thatmedical innovationshaveonourhealth, well-being, andquality oflife in thetimeof a pandemic.The incredibleefforts ofthebiopharmaceutical sector overthepastyear andevenyears before the COVID-19 pandemic brought vaccines to market for COVID-19 at a rapid pace.In order to bring an end to the pandemic, it is critical that we ensure broadaccess tothese vaccines across the globe, but we must do so in a way that protects theintellectual property that allowedusto produce the vaccineswe have today and need tomorrow.

Unfortunately, the U.S. recently announced that it would support aWorld Trade Organization proposal to waiveintellectual propertyprotections for COVID-19 vaccines, a decision that wouldcreateanegative ripple effect on theinnovation sector in New Jerseyand beyondand the very patients whoneedsafe and effectivevaccines andtreatmentsthe most.Waiving IP protections would threaten the future development of innovative treatments in the most critical momentsand ignore moreeffective ways to ensure global vaccine access during a crisis that dont put innovation and patients in jeopardy.

IP protections on medical products exist togivepatientsconfidence that they willreceive treatmentsthat are backed by rigorous safety and efficacy standardsandensurecompanies cancontinue to develop innovative drugsfor complex disease.Known commonly as the TRIPS waiver, WTO proposed the IP waiver under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), an international legal agreement between all member nations of the WTO.The intent may be right to expand access to lifechanging vaccines across the globe but the consequences could be vast and dangerous.

WaivingIPprotections forCOVID-19vaccines thatshowcasethe very best of the biopharmaceutical sector including the companies that call New Jersey homenot only doesnt guarantee faster rollout for vaccines abroad but could undermine the standards for these drugs and the supply chain that has demonstrated efficacy throughout the pandemic.

The notion that waiving IP protections iscriticalto saving lives abroad diminishes the work that American companies have done to develop groundbreaking drugs andunderminestheir continued commitment to savinglives and changingthe way we treat and manage complex diseases.There are alternativesolutions,includingthe Biotechnology Innovation OrganizationsproposedGlobalSHAREProgram, which would ensure continued global vaccine accesswithout threateningAmerican jobs and innovation.

There is no question that the fight is not over against COVID-19.But disrupting the production of these difficult to manufacture vaccines andthreatening future drug developments is notthe way to solve the ongoing challenges of the pandemic.Instead, we should bolster the existing manufacturing framework, hardworking Americans, and valuable sciencehere in New Jersey and across the country.In New Jersey alone, more than70companies continue to work to combat the effects of the coronavirus.This approach not only secures U.S. jobs andthehomegrowninnovationthatarecentral pillarsof the Biden Administration,butcontinues toachieve the global objective of turning the corner on the COVID-19pandemic.

All of the more than 160 member countries of the WTOmustsupport such a wavier for ittomove forward, so weawait next steps. But we hopethe Biden Administrationwill see how such a decision would change the trajectory ofthe COVID-19 response,innovation for New Jersey,and the entire U.S. economy.Itisimperative that wework together to put shots in more arms in a time of crisis. But thisisnot the way to do it.

Debbie Hart is the president and CEO ofBioNJ, based in Trenton.

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Waiving IP rights for COVID-19 vaccines is dangerous for innovation, jobs and patients | Opinion - NorthJersey.com