Backers of WTO vaccine waiver ask opponents to join talks
EMMA FARGE SUPPORTERS of a proposal to waive patent rights on COVID-19 vaccines at the World Trade Organization are set to call on opponents to join the negotiations, stressing the gravity of the pandemic, according to a draft document. Talks at the WTO on temporarily waiving IP rights have been deadlocked for months. But U.S. President Joe Biden's decision earlier this month to back talks for a waiver has raised hopes that the few remaining wealthy-country opponents could also switch camps. The EU has since backed a U.S. proposal to discuss waiving patent protections, although Switzerland said it left many…