Novavax on Friday criticized an Indian proposal to waive intellectual property (IP) rights for covid-19 vaccines at the World Trade Organization (WTO), saying such a move would undermine efforts by vaccine developers for equitable access to inoculation. Of the total doses, Novavax will supply 350 million starting July-September, while Serum Institute will manufacture and deliver the rest. As per the partnership with Novavax, SII will produce the vaccine as Covovax, and sell it in India and overseas. “A TRIPS waiver could further constrain resources by diverting them to entities incapable of manufacturing safe and effective vaccines in the near term. A TRIPS waiver could also undermine existing partnerships and would not promote timely capacity-building," the company said, adding that a waiver could also increase national barriers to the free flow of materials and vaccine doses.

Source: Mint May 07, 2021 14:48 UTC