MRNA - Weighing in on vaccine patent waivers Alcon and Ultragenyx upgraded at Citi and more in analyst action

Analysts weigh in on potential of COVID-19 patent waiversYesterday's announcement that the U.S. would support a waiver of IP protections for COVID-19 vaccines led to a slide in vaccine makers.However, several analysts believe the potential impact may be overhyped as other countries also oppose such a move and negotiations will still need to be done at the World Trade Organization ("WTO").Barclay's Carter Gould says that a waiver could potentially impact 2022 supply, but it would likely lend "itself to negotiations for lower-cost/free vaccines in specific regions in the near to intermediate term."Umer Raffat of Evercore ISI says that just because the U.S. supports a waiver doesn't mean one will be granted by the WTO.He also notes that even if granted, IP is just one part of the puzzle as manufacturing mRNA vaccines on a large-scale can be difficult.Vaccine makers this morning: Pfizer (PFE) -4.4%; BioNTech (BNTX) -12%; Moderna (MRNA) -9.8%; Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) -0.2%;

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Weighing in on vaccine patent waivers, Alcon and Ultragenyx upgraded at Citi and more in analyst action