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NEW: Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has vociferously denied benefiting from government aid.
But his COVID-19 vaccine, like nearly all leading candidates, depend on a critical publicly developed technology.
cc: J&J, Novavax, CureVac, Moderna
(1/6)
https://www.citizen.org/article/leading-covid-19-vaccines-depend-on-nih-technology/
But his COVID-19 vaccine, like nearly all leading candidates, depend on a critical publicly developed technology.
cc: J&J, Novavax, CureVac, Moderna
(1/6)
https://www.citizen.org/article/leading-covid-19-vaccines-depend-on-nih-technology/
Coronavirus spike proteins are notorious for changing shape. This makes it hard for vaccines to elicit strong immune responses.
In 2016, NIH scientists working with academics came up with a solution.
They developed a new way of “freezing" the spike in the right shape.
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In 2016, NIH scientists working with academics came up with a solution.
They developed a new way of “freezing" the spike in the right shape.
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The scientists then filed a patent application.
When SARS-CoV-2 emerged, the scientists realized the same approach could work.
One vaccine scientist noted that we were “very lucky, actually” that the scientists had developed their approach with an earlier coronavirus.
(3/6)
When SARS-CoV-2 emerged, the scientists realized the same approach could work.
One vaccine scientist noted that we were “very lucky, actually” that the scientists had developed their approach with an earlier coronavirus.
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"It wouldn’t be possible to go so fast with the Moderna vaccine otherwise.”
But it was not just Moderna.
Pfizer and J&J actually tried to test other proteins, but selected a NIH protein because it showed early superiority in clinical trials (e.g., fewer side effects).
(4/6)
But it was not just Moderna.
Pfizer and J&J actually tried to test other proteins, but selected a NIH protein because it showed early superiority in clinical trials (e.g., fewer side effects).
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This raises some questions:
Does the US government have licensing deals with the corporations?
What they do say?
Has the NIH safeguarded the public interest?
Stay tuned for that.
(5/6)
Does the US government have licensing deals with the corporations?
What they do say?
Has the NIH safeguarded the public interest?
Stay tuned for that.
(5/6)
But we know what the deals with the government *should* say:
If you want to benefit from public funding or public science, you will be required to act in the public interest.
Set a reasonable price and share technology so everyone around the world can scale-up supply.
(6/6)
If you want to benefit from public funding or public science, you will be required to act in the public interest.
Set a reasonable price and share technology so everyone around the world can scale-up supply.
(6/6)
