Bharat Biotech Adds ICMR As Co-owner Of Covaxin Patent After Initial Omission

Bharat Biotech Adds ICMR As Co-Owner Of Covaxin Patent After Initial Omission

In a recent update, Bharat Biotech has included the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) as a co-owner of the patent for Covaxin, their COVID-19 vaccine. This adjustment follows an acknowledgement by Bharat Biotech of an "inadvertent error" in the initial patent filing process.

During the accelerated development of Covaxin, Bharat Biotech faced intense pressure to expedite the vaccine's availability amid global urgency. This competitive environment prompted swift patent submissions before data publication, which may have led to the initial omission of ICMR as a co-owner.

Explaining the oversight, Bharat Biotech clarified that confidentiality agreements between Bharat Biotech and ICMR initially prevented the inclusion of ICMR in the patent application. The company emphasised that such errors are not uncommon in complex development projects and highlighted legal provisions available to rectify such situations.

Bharat Biotech has swiftly addressed the issue by revising the patent application to include ICMR as a co-owner. The company confirmed that legal procedures are underway to formalise this inclusion through submission to the Patent Office.

This corrective action aligns with the collaborative framework outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Bharat Biotech and ICMR-NIV Pune in April 2020. The MoU established a partnership for the joint development of Covaxin, underscoring the significance of ICMR's contributions to the vaccine's development.

The update underscores the importance of transparency and rectification in crucial initiatives like vaccine development. By recognising and rectifying the omission, Bharat Biotech ensures compliance with collaborative agreements and upholds the integrity of its partnership with ICMR in advancing Covaxin.