RGC Senior Research Fellow Scheme

Biography

Simon F.S. Li Professor of Law at The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Expertise in international economic law. Interest in all legal issues arising from multilateral and regional agreements
SRFS project — to explore the complex linkages between intellectual property law, public health, trade and economics to provide a strong theoretical and empirical foundation for informed priority setting, resource allocation and policy choices in tackling future public health crises
Awards and Honours:
- RGC Senior Research Fellow (2022)

Project Title

Access to Vaccines in a Post-COVID-19 World: Sustainable Legal and Policy Options

Award Citation

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the human and economic cost of a lack of preparedness and raised issues over the international legal framework, research and development (R&D) incentives, and equitable access to life-saving medical products. The current innovation and intellectual property (IP) framework has failed to make vaccine R&D profitable and sustainable. As scientists have projected the inevitability of further pandemics, the framework must be improved and global preparedness enhanced. Drawing on lessons from the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this project will holistically explore the complex linkages between IP law, public health, trade and economics to provide a strong theoretical and empirical foundation for informed priority setting, resource allocation and policy choices in tackling future public health crises.