Research unlocks solutions to future pandemics
McDole 21, *Jaci McDole, JD, senior policy analyst covering IP and innovation policy at the ITIF. **Stephen Ezell is vice president, global innovation policy, at the ITIF. (4-29-2021, "Ten Ways IP Has Enabled Innovations That Have Helped Sustain the World Through the Pandemic", ITIF, https://itif.org/publications/2021/04/29/ten-ways-ip-has-enabled-innovations-have-helped-sustain-world-through)
IP rights often only come into existence and meaningful effect after an invention is created and brought forward at significant expense by the innovator. At present, there are likely many untapped biomedical discoveries, including treatment options for debilitating diseases and even for future pandemics. Bringing these innovations forward requires organizations to devote years—if not decades—of R&D, as well as significant costs, in the hopes that one day they will be able to help patients, as Gilead’s remdesivir has done. IP rights exist to encourage such innovation.