During and after the COVID pandemic, at the TRIPS Council, WTO Members discussed the role of IP rights such as patents in the innovation, manufacturing, tech transfer, and the global distribution of vaccines and other relevant technologies. A TRIPS Council Special Session was organized around this topic; Jennifer Brant delivered this presentation, which combines insights from research papers including Unprecedented, Making Biologics, and Biomanufacturing Resilience. While some WTO Members argued that IP rights had hindered these efforts, evidence pointed to IPRs playing an enabling role. They allowed innovators to share technology and know-how with partners, thus accelerating the innovation response to the pandemic.