Face of Lobbying Changes WTO members led by India and South Africa are pushing for a waiver from Intellectual Property (IP) protections for any goods related to COVID-19. Specifically, they want to freely replicate the vaccines that have been developed by private companies like Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca. The manufacturers of these drugs argue that the hurdle to having more vaccines available is “complex logistical, engineering, and technical challenges of rapidly scaling-up their manufacture” that would not be resolved by simply giving away the technology. However, the more notable aspect of the manufacturers’ plea to the U.S. government to deny the IP waiver is the coalition it cobbled together in support of...
What You Need to Know Today: President Trump claimed the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was over, as both sides accused one another of violating the terms of the agreement. Commercial vessels are increasingly steering clear of the Strait of Hormuz as security risks escalate following Iran...
Key Takeaways: The CME Group is launching new 90 percent Lean Beef and 50 percent Lean Beef futures and options contracts in July. There are five key factors that must be present in physical markets and futures contract specifications for futures contracts to become successful. The two l...
From WPI Consulting
Infrastructure investment due diligence
On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.