Innovation and IP’s Role in Combatting the Covid-19 Pandemic

How have the U.S. and global life-sciences innovation ecosystems been so successful in facilitating the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics to help global society navigate the pandemic? The answer begins with decades of U.S. investment in basic and applied research and development (R&D), human talent, scientific infrastructure, research universities, and manufacturing innovation. Abetted by international partners, the U.S. environment for life-science innovation is supported by factors such as robust intellectual property (IP) rights and effective technology transfer policies. For instance, the global community marshalled the power of a remarkable collective resource to rapidly address a truly global challenge such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please join the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) for two expert panels that will explore how innovation and IP have proved to be instrumental in overcoming the COVID pandemic. The first panel will address IP issues related to global production, distribution, and access to COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. The panel will examine issues such as the WTO TRIPS COVID-19 IP waiver and the role of IP in facilitating licensed manufacturing of COVID drugs. The second panel will examine the ecosystem, partners, and technologies that have underpinned U.S. and global efforts to develop effective mRNA and related types of COVID-19 vaccines, as well as therapeutics, diagnostics, and other components.

Agenda

Panel 1: The Role of IP in Facilitating Global Development and Production of COVID-19 Vaccines and Therapeutics
11:30am ET

Moderator:
Andrei Iancu, Senior Adviser, Renewing American Innovation Project, CSIS 

Panelists:
Marco Aleman, WIPO Assistant Director General, IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector
Jayashree Watal, Honorary Professor, National Law University, India 
Chris Hattingh, South African Institute of Race Relations, South Africa
Carlos Felipe Escobar Roa, Instituto INNOS, Colombia 

Panel 2: The Role of Technology and Innovation in COVID-19 Vaccines and Therapeutics Development
12:45pm ET

Moderator:
Stephen Ezell, Vice President for Global Innovation Policy, ITIF 

​Panelists:
Simon Tripp, Principal and Senior Director, TECONOMY Partners 
David Adler, Senior Adviser, XA Investments 
Jennifer Brant, Director, Innovation Council
Dr. Monique K. Mansoura, Executive Director, Global Health Security & Biotechnology, MITRE

This event was made possible through general support to CSIS.