COVID vaccinesBiden's vaccine patent waiver just start of global supply challenge
Complex tech and limited components restrict production, drugmakers say
President Joe Biden arrives at the State Dining Room of the White House on May 5. The U.S. announced support for a temporary waiver on patent protections for COVID-19 vaccines. © AP
TAISEI HOYAMA, RINTARO HOSOKAWA and NORIYUKI TAKADA, Nikkei staff writers
WASHINGTON/VIENNA/TOKYO -- President Joe Biden's decision to back a waiver on patent protections for COVID-19 vaccines lowers one hurdle to broader production, but the specialized skills required in quality control and manufacturing look likely to create another bottleneck.