A global license for serological technology that detects COVID-19 antibodies will be provided royalty-free to poor and middle-income countries under the first such agreement to boost production, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported.
The four existing tests, which check for the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 developed after an infection or a dose of vaccine, could also inform decisions about the need for boosters to protect against the disease, it said in a statement.
The non-exclusive license agreement reached with the National Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), a public research institute that offers technology as a global public good, is the first trial license signed by the Medicines Patent Fund (MPP) of the WHO.
“The objective of the license is to facilitate the rapid manufacture and commercialization of the CSIC’s COVID-19 serological test throughout the world“Said the WHO.
“The license will be royalty-free for low- and middle-income countries and will remain valid until the date the last patent expires.”, He declared.
The tests are easy to use and suitable even for rural settings with a basic laboratory infrastructure, he added.
The general director of the WHOTedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the deal that he hoped would inspire other developers to share tools against COVID-19, which has killed 5.4 million people since the virus emerged in central China in December 2019.
“This is the kind of open and transparent license we need to move the needle in access during and after the pandemic.Tedros declared.
“I urge developers of COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and diagnostics to follow suit and turn the tide of the pandemic and the devastating global inequality that this pandemic has highlighted.”
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) welcomed the agreement and noted that currently the WHO It only has an antibody test using quantitative immunoassays (ELISA) performed by Roche Holding AG that can only be used with the Swiss-based drug manufacturer’s own device.
“To overcome the monopoly of large diagnostic companies such as Roche, and to facilitate the production and supply of reliable ELISA antibody tests in all countries, the CSIC’s open license to OMS C-TAP (COVID-19 Technology Access Pool) it is an important step forward”Said the activist group.
However, a license from a technology owner is not enough to open up the full platform for country developers to improve their COVID-19 antibody tests, he added.
“Removing intellectual property barriers on all key components of technology and facilitating the open exchange, sharing and transfer of technologies, data and knowledge are important to ensure and improve access to COVID-19 diagnoses for all“, I consider.
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