IP Neutrality and Benefit Sharing for Seasonal Flu: An Argument In Favor of WHO PIP Framework Expansion

Currently, countries that share samples of influenza viruses with a global WHO network called GISRS can participate in IP and benefitsharing agreements over their samples only if those samples are considered potential pandemic triggers. Some key players in public health want to change that by extending those protections to seasonal flu viruses. Others argue that doing so will be problematic, by, for example, creating too much red tape for vaccine research and development or by destroying the progress that has already been made in creating GISRS. In this battle between WHO stakeholders, expanding the scope of IP and benefits agreements to seasonal flu virus-donating countries will satisfy both parties in the long term and save lives