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U.S. backs WTO extension of deadline on patent waivers for COVID-19 tests and treatments

WTO has long deadlocked over a proposed annual waiver of parts of the 1995 TRIPS Agreement, a major intellectual property agreement, that would allow any nation or company to make a vaccine if it has the recipe and ingredients.

The U.S. announced support for extending a key WTO deadline on COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics.
The U.S. announced support for extending a key WTO deadline on COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics. (AN/Mufid Majnun / Unsplash)

The United States refuses to agree to patent waivers for COVID-19 tests and treatments this year, saying more information is needed to make a sound decision.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced its support on Tuesday for trade ministers putting off a decision on the World Trade Organization's long-running debate over a waiver for some intellectual property protections.

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