Patent Rights in the COVID age. Fostering Innovation, Securing Universal Access and Limitations on Public Interest Considerations

Patent Rights in the COVID age. Fostering Innovation, Securing Universal Access and Limitations on Public Interest Considerations

In an unprecedented effort, pharmaceutical companies and scientific research institutes are striving to develop a vaccine and secure IP protection for it.  The question of universal access arises: Will governments be able to obtain affordable vaccines when they become available? Can patent owners be forced to license the COVID-19 vaccine for the greater good? Are we using the IP system to create the right incentives?