Biden Administration asked to clarify scope of sanctions exceptions for Cuba’s vaccine program, and to support the evaluation and registration of its COVID-19 vaccines

On June 28, 2021, KEI sent a memorandum to Gayle E Smith (State), Eric Lander (OSTP), Loyce Pace (HHS) and Samantha Power (USAID), asking the U.S. government to clarify that its sanctions against Cuba do not extend to activities and… Continue Reading

Bolivia seeks to import COVID-19 vaccines from Biolyse, if Canada grants them a compulsory license

Today the government of Bolivia and Biolyse, a company based in Canada, signed an agreement to acquire COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by the company, if Canada grants them a compulsory license. Biolyse is a manufacturer of cancer drugs with the potential… Continue Reading

41 Canadian Experts Request Amendment to Schedule 1 of the Patent Act to include COVID-19 vaccines

On April 27th, a letter signed by 41 Canadian experts was sent to the Prime Minister of Canada, the Minister of Innovation, Science & Industry, and the Minister of Health. The letter requests the amendment of Schedule 1 of the… Continue Reading

Canada based Biolyse Pharma Seeks to Manufacture COVID-19 Vaccines for Low-Income Countries, may test Canada’s compulsory licensing for export law

On March 11th 2021, Biolyse Pharma (“Biolyse”) issued a statement publicly indicating their capacity to manufacture a COVID-19 vaccine and their intent to apply for a compulsory license in Canada. Biolyse is a Canadian manufacturer of cancer drugs based out… Continue Reading

Unredacted Pfizer contract with Dominican Republic, shows broad indemnity provisions for COVID-19 vaccine sales

On March 1, 2021, KEI obtained a copy of the binding term sheet between Pfizer/BioNTech and the Dominican Republic for the supply of their COVID-19 vaccine in the country. The document, requested via the freedom of information law in the… Continue Reading

KEI Letter to New WTO Director-General on COVID-19 Response

On March 1, 2021, Knowledge Ecology International (KEI) sent a letter to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the new Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding the WTO’s COVID-19 response. In the letter, KEI urged Dr. Ngozi to fully step into… Continue Reading

Manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines typically start delivering in under six months after tech transfer

Based on press releases and additional publicly-available information, KEI is building a dataset with a non-exhaustive list of deals that involve technology transfer and outsourcing of COVID-19 vaccines manufacturing. As of February 19, 2021, the dataset includes observations for over… Continue Reading

COVID-19 Vaccine Manufacturing Capacity

KEI has created a public listserve to discuss vaccine manufacturing scale up. (link) February 19, 2021: Roundtable on Pathways to Scale Up Manufacturing Capacity for COVID-19 Vaccines – 19. KEI has gathered data regarding vaccine manufacturing capacity in countries worldwide,… Continue Reading

Foundational mRNA patents are subject to the Bayh-Dole Act provisions

Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman are often described as the pioneers of the mRNA discoveries that underpin the first COVID-19 vaccines. In 2005 both scientists published a paper reporting that a slightly tweaked version of mRNA that can be administered… Continue Reading