Earlier this year, the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted a key resolution calling for a study on the patent issues related to influenza viruses, genes, and pandemic preparedness. Thus, at the request of the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has offered its expertise and technical input on patent issues relating to influenza viruses and their genes. WIPO’s contributions do not include specific recommendations, but offer a technical study on specific patent issues and comprehensive factual resources on IP matters as they relate to public health. This technical contribution is designed to support efforts of health policymakers as they set future directions for a global response that may help pre-empt and contain a potential public health crisis.
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