Statement from Zachary Stanley, EVP, MassBio on the COVID-19 TRIPS Waiver

May 06, 2021

“The Biden Administration’s decision to support the TRIPS waiver is unnecessary, and has the potential to make the global COVID-19 response worse. Current projections show that global manufacturing capacity continues to grow and should reach or exceed 10 billion doses before the end of 2021.  

“There is a clear pathway forward for the Biden Administration that does not require this extreme step: continue to partner with industry, governments, non-profits, and others to ensure a sufficient global supply of vaccines, ensure safe and expeditious global access to vaccines and therapeutics, and establish ongoing efforts to help global healthcare systems address COVID-19.  

“There’s no evidence that intellectual property rights are hindering the global response to the pandemic despite the political and well-intentioned rhetoric. Intellectual property is the foundation of the life sciences industry.  

“Waiving intellectual property rights – even in these extreme circumstances – will forever change the innovation system that has made the U.S. the world leader in the development of new medicines.  

“Actions like expediting the exportation of raw materials and quickly identifying bottlenecks that are hindering the global vaccine supply chain will pay larger near- and long-term benefits while global vaccine makers do everything they can to safely and predictably increase global supply.” 

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