Bharat Biotech Corrects Patent Oversight, Adds ICMR as Co-owner of Covaxin

In a significant development, Bharat Biotech has rectified an earlier omission by adding the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) as a co-owner of the patent for its COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin. This move comes after Bharat Biotech attributed the initial oversight to an “inadvertent error” amidst the urgent vaccine development process.

Prioritizing Speed During Vaccine Development

The race to develop an effective COVID-19 vaccine was marked by unprecedented urgency. Bharat Biotech, like many other vaccine developers, faced immense pressure to accelerate its work on Covaxin to ensure early availability. This high-pressure environment led to a competitive rush to submit patent applications quickly, often before the publication of comprehensive data.

ICMR’s Role and Omission Explained

In a press release, Bharat Biotech explained that the omission of ICMR from the initial patent application was due to the confidentiality clause in their agreement, which prevented ICMR’s inclusion at that stage. The company stated that such errors are not uncommon and that there are legal mechanisms in place to correct them.

Taking Corrective Measures

Bharat Biotech has emphasized its respect for ICMR and acknowledged the institution’s ongoing support. To rectify the error, the company has included ICMR as a co-owner of the Covaxin patent application. Bharat Biotech confirmed that it is preparing the necessary legal documents for submission to the Patent Office to formalize this correction.

Alignment with Collaboration Agreement

The steps taken by Bharat Biotech align with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the company and ICMR-NIV Pune in April 2020. This MoU laid the foundation for their collaborative efforts in developing the Covaxin vaccine. By adding ICMR as a co-owner of the patent, Bharat Biotech ensures adherence to their collaborative agreement and proper recognition of ICMR’s contributions.

Conclusion

This development underscores the importance of acknowledging and rectifying errors, particularly in high-stakes fields like vaccine development. By including ICMR as a co-owner of the Covaxin patent, Bharat Biotech not only complies with their collaborative agreement but also ensures that ICMR’s vital contributions are properly recognized. This correction highlights the collaborative spirit essential in overcoming global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

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