Coronavirus: everyone wins when patents are pooled

Type Journal Article Author Nature URL https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01441-2?utm_source=twt_nnc&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=naturenews&sf234230737=1 Series Editorial Publication Nature Date 20/05/2020 Accessed 2020-07-05 19:31:31 Abstract Last week, the leaders of Ghana, Pakistan, Senegal and South Africa joined more than 100 former heads of government, senior officials and leading researchers in an open letter urging that scientific research and intellectual property on coronavirus vaccines be shared freely — and that vaccines be distributed fairly — so that the poorest countries do not lose out. It is unfortunate that such a letter needed to be written in the middle of the worst pandemic of the past 50 years. But it was unavoidable, because some governments — including those funding the first wave of research and clinical trials — have not yet committed to the principles of fully open science and innovation.