WHO Passes Resolution for Sharing COVID-19 Product Patents, Data

The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted a resolution calling for the voluntary sharing of patent rights and product data for COVID-19 countermeasures.

The resolution is a response to previous calls by the EU and other regions concerned that exclusive licensing for COVID-19 treatments could lead to unaffordable prices in lower-income nations (DID, April 17).

Gilead Sciences previously relinquished its seven-year orphan drug exclusivity rights for its antiviral remdesivir, a promising COVID-19 treatment candidate, while Mylan Pharmaceuticals gave up exclusivity for its generic Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) to allow others to manufacture the potential coronavirus treatment (DID, April 22). — James Miessler