As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, pharmaceutical companies are taking generous steps and removing intellectual property rights for many key drugs which could help fight the virus, writes Adrian Tombling – partner and patent attorney at Withers & Rogers.
Covid-19
In the global race to find new drugs and tests for use in the treatment of Covid-19, pharmaceutical companies are taking the unprecedented step of forgoing their intellectual property rights. Without the promise of commercial gains that accompany such exclusivity rights, these companies could be seen to be effectively putting cause before profits.
A series of pharmaceutical companies have already taken action voluntarily, although it is fair to say that in some cases there has been a certain amount of external pressure for them to do so. Even so, the industry-wide response is impressive and heart-warming.