Pushing against the proposed Intellectual Property (IP) waiver for Covid vaccines, Pharma companies are saying that removing IP protections from Covid-19 vaccines or pressuring companies into technology sharing will not speed up production of the jabs. The companies claimed such a measure would even slow down the vaccine production.

Supporters of the measure&nbsp;to do away with IP rights say that this can enable more countries to produce the vaccines thereby increasing accessibility.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose country is co-leading a push at the World Trade Organization to exempt Covid-19 vaccines from IP rights, insisted Friday the jabs were "a public good and must be recognised as such".

"We call on the pharmaceutical industry to directly transfer this technology free of intellectual property barriers to low and middle-income countries," he told an event hosted by the World Health Organization.&nbsp;

"Let us together challenge vaccine nationalism and show that protecting intellectual property rights does not come at the expense of human lives."

Although vaccine makers have previously voiced commitment to co-operate for boost in production, industry representatives insisted on Friday that IP waivers and forced technology sharing was the wrong way to go.

An IP waiver "wouldn't give us the tools to produce more doses of vaccines", Thomas Cueni, head of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), told reporters.

He pointed out that around 275 manufacturing deals, including on technology transfer among staunch competitors, had helped the industry go from zero to one billion Covid-19 vaccine doses already produced, with the goal of 10 billion doses by the end of the year.

Industry players said though that that target hinged not on IP restrictions or broader technology transfers, but on resolving serious challenges, linked to trade barriers and export restrictions, hindering the movement of vaccine components and the vaccines themselves.

"Vaccine manufacturing is not just about patents," said Sai Prasad, head of quality operations at Indian vaccine maker Bharat Biotech and president of the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers' Network (DCVMN).

(With inputs from agencies)

Pushing against the proposed Intellectual Property (IP) waiver for Covid vaccines, Pharma companies are saying that removing IP protections from Covid-19 vaccines or pressuring companies into technology sharing will not speed up production of the jabs.

Pushing against the proposed Intellectual Property (IP) waiver for Covid vaccines, Pharma companies are saying that removing IP protections from Covid-19 vaccines or pressuring companies into technology sharing will not speed up production of the jabs. The companies claimed such a measure would even slow down the vaccine production. Supporters of the measure to do away with IP rights say that this can enable more countries to produce the vaccines thereby increasing accessibility. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose country is co-leading a push at the World Trade Organization to exempt Covid-19 vaccines from IP rights, insisted Friday the jabs were "a public good and must be recognised as such". "We call on the pharmaceutical industry to directly transfer this technology free of intellectual property barriers to low and middle-income countries," he told an event hosted by the World Health Organization. "Let us together challenge vaccine nationalism and show that protecting intellectual property rights does not come at the expense of human lives." Although vaccine makers have previously voiced commitment to co-operate for boost in production, industry representatives insisted on Friday that IP waivers and forced technology sharing was the wrong way to go. An IP waiver "wouldn't give us the tools to produce more doses of vaccines", Thomas Cueni, head of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), told reporters. He pointed out that around 275 manufacturing deals, including on technology transfer among staunch competitors, had helped the industry go from zero to one billion Covid-19 vaccine doses already produced, with the goal of 10 billion doses by the end of the year. Industry players said though that that target hinged not on IP restrictions or broader technology transfers, but on resolving serious challenges, linked to trade barriers and export restrictions, hindering the movement of vaccine components and the vaccines themselves. "Vaccine manufacturing is not just about patents," said Sai Prasad, head of quality operations at Indian vaccine maker Bharat Biotech and president of the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers' Network (DCVMN). (With inputs from agencies)

Vaccine makers oppose IP waiver, say manufacturing hurdles slowing rollout

From India's power grid to vaccine makers, Chinese hackers are allegedly targeting critical Indian infrastructure and assets, according to reports.&nbsp;

Two reports hint at potential cyber warfare by China but no breach has been detected by India till now. &nbsp;

India's power ministry said on Monday, it suffered no data breach or loss while no breach has been reported by the vaccine makers too. But the prospect of a cyber-attack from Chinese territory looks real.&nbsp;

The first attempt was allegedly made last year when Chinese troops hadn't de-escalated. In a study, Recorded Future, an US cybersecurity company, has found that while the Indian and Chinese soldiers remained locked in an eyeball-to-eyeball conflict, Chinese hackers launched a cyber campaign against India's power grid, according to this report.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-is-china-engaging-in-cyber-warfare-against-india-367262">WATCH |</a>

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Chinese malware entered control systems that manage the supply of electricity across India. A high-voltage transmission substation was also targeted alongside a coal-fired thermal power plant. Perhaps, the biggest claim is around a power outage that happened in Mumbai last year in October 2020. There was a widespread power outage in Mumbai. It lasted several hours, disrupted train services and threw life out of gear. Was China behind the blackout in Mumbai?&nbsp;

According to Recorded Future, this remains unsubstantiated but there is evidence to suggest that there was a coordinated effort to target Indian load dispatch centres. These centres reportedly serve as a link between power generation and transmission to consumers.&nbsp;

Recorded Future shared its findings with the Indian government. India's power ministry said in its statement on Monday, there wasn't any impact in functionality. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Along with this, news agency Reuters says Chinese hackers backed by the state targeted two Indian vaccine makers, Bharat Biotech and the Serum Institute of India, whose shots are being used for India's coronavirus vaccine programme. Cyber intelligence firm Cyfirma has come out with this finding.&nbsp;

Chinese hacking group 'Apt10' is said to be behind this. It is also known as 'Stone Panda'. It identified gaps and vulnerabilities in two areas i.e. IT infrastructure of the vaccine makers and their supply chain software.&nbsp;

The purpose behind the hack according to experts was quite clear. They wanted to steal intellectual property. This could possibly mean the recipe to make the vaccines. Reportedly, Apt10 was actively targeting the Serum Institute of India, which has the license to produce the Oxford vaccine. The same shot is being used in India and supplied around the world under commercial contracts or grants.&nbsp;

Leading tech giants and their apps were banned by India after the clashes at Galwan but if these claims are indeed true. They are a proof of how China is weaponising its tech know-how and how it is conducting cyber warfare.&nbsp;

From India's power grid to vaccine makers, Chinese hackers are allegedly targeting critical Indian infrastructure and assets, according to reports. Two reports hint at potential cyber warfare by China but no breach has been detected by India till now.

From India's power grid to vaccine makers, Chinese hackers are allegedly targeting critical Indian infrastructure and assets, according to reports. Two reports hint at potential cyber warfare by China but no breach has been detected by India till now. India's power ministry said on Monday, it suffered no data breach or loss while no breach has been reported by the vaccine makers too. But the prospect of a cyber-attack from Chinese territory looks real. The first attempt was allegedly made last year when Chinese troops hadn't de-escalated. In a study, Recorded Future, an US cybersecurity company, has found that while the Indian and Chinese soldiers remained locked in an eyeball-to-eyeball conflict, Chinese hackers launched a cyber campaign against India's power grid, according to this report. WATCH | Chinese malware entered control systems that manage the supply of electricity across India. A high-voltage transmission substation was also targeted alongside a coal-fired thermal power plant. Perhaps, the biggest claim is around a power outage that happened in Mumbai last year in October 2020. There was a widespread power outage in Mumbai. It lasted several hours, disrupted train services and threw life out of gear. Was China behind the blackout in Mumbai? According to Recorded Future, this remains unsubstantiated but there is evidence to suggest that there was a coordinated effort to target Indian load dispatch centres. These centres reportedly serve as a link between power generation and transmission to consumers. Recorded Future shared its findings with the Indian government. India's power ministry said in its statement on Monday, there wasn't any impact in functionality. Along with this, news agency Reuters says Chinese hackers backed by the state targeted two Indian vaccine makers, Bharat Biotech and the Serum Institute of India, whose shots are being used for India's coronavirus vaccine programme. Cyber intelligence firm Cyfirma has come out with this finding. Chinese hacking group 'Apt10' is said to be behind this. It is also known as 'Stone Panda'. It identified gaps and vulnerabilities in two areas i.e. IT infrastructure of the vaccine makers and their supply chain software. The purpose behind the hack according to experts was quite clear. They wanted to steal intellectual property. This could possibly mean the recipe to make the vaccines. Reportedly, Apt10 was actively targeting the Serum Institute of India, which has the license to produce the Oxford vaccine. The same shot is being used in India and supplied around the world under commercial contracts or grants. Leading tech giants and their apps were banned by India after the clashes at Galwan but if these claims are indeed true. They are a proof of how China is weaponising its tech know-how and how it is conducting cyber warfare.

Chinese hackers target critical Indian infrastructure 

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