독 BaoInTech Opposes US Waiver on Vaccine Intellectual Property Protection

Complex Vaccine Manufacturing Process Risks Quality, Safety, and Efficacy
Pfizer CEO: "IP Waivers Will Definitely Cause More Problems"

[Asia Economy International Desk Reporter] German biotechnology company BioNTech stated that waiving intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines is not the appropriate way to end the infectious disease pandemic, according to foreign media reports on the 8th (local time). BioNTech is the company that jointly developed the COVID-19 vaccine with the American pharmaceutical company Pfizer.

BioNTech made this statement on the same day and expressed confidence that the ongoing expansion of production capacity will help end COVID-19. BioNTech also said it plans to continue supplying its vaccines to less wealthy countries at "non-profit-oriented" prices and added that governments, manufacturers, international organizations, and national agencies must cooperate to achieve this.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

A BioNTech spokesperson said, "Patent rights are not a factor limiting the production or supply of vaccines," adding that the vaccine manufacturing process is complex and that if basic requirements are not met, there is a risk of adversely affecting the vaccine's quality, safety, and efficacy.

Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, also stated in a letter to employees posted on the business-focused social media platform LinkedIn the previous day that he believes waiving intellectual property rights "will undoubtedly cause more problems."

Amid a global shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, proposals to suspend intellectual property protections such as patents to expand production have been raised as a solution. U.S. President Joe Biden also announced his support for waiving intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines on the 5th.

However, leaders of major European Union (EU) countries, including Germany, have expressed skepticism about waiving intellectual property rights, officially stating that the priority should be for the U.S. to lift export restrictions on vaccines.

Attending an informal EU member state leaders' meeting held in Portugal from the 7th via video conference, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, "I do not think simply providing patent rights is the solution," and expressed opposition to waiving intellectual property rights, stating, "If patent rights are simply provided and quality is less controlled, the risks will outweigh the opportunities."

French President Emmanuel Macron said, "Patents are not the priority," and added, "We clearly demand that the U.S. stop not only vaccine exports but also exports of vaccine raw materials." He emphasized, "The key to producing vaccines faster for poor and developing countries is to produce more and lift export restrictions."

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi also said, "Simpler measures such as the U.S. and the U.K. removing export restrictions should be taken," adding, "Lifting patents does not guarantee vaccine production."

Charles Michel, President of the European Council, also expressed doubts at the meeting about the idea that waiving intellectual property rights is a "silver bullet."