Sanofi disapproves of Europe with vaccine commitment

reThe announcement by French pharmaceutical company Sanofi that the coronavirus vaccine will be available first to the American population has triggered a wave of outrage. The chief executive of the largest pharmaceutical company in the European Union, the British Paul Hudson, said in an interview with the Bloomberg news agency that “the US government has the right to preorder because it has invested to share the risk.”

He was referring to agreements with the American Advanced Biomedical Research and Development Authority (Barda), which supports vaccine manufacturers by requiring development, manufacturing and part of sales in the United States. Sanofi had repeatedly asked in recent weeks that Europe should act similarly. With Pfizer, Glaxo Smith Kline and Merck, the French company is one of the four largest vaccine manufacturers in the world.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that he was irritated by the announcements. Because it is committed to ensuring that a vaccine “withdraws from the logic of the market” and becomes a public good. A multilateral response must be found to make vaccines available anywhere in the world if possible. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe asked Serge Weinberg, Chairman of the Sanofi Board of Directors, to ensure that France was not neglected.

Sanofi sent out several announcements after controversial interview statements that the vaccine would be available in much of the world. The talks with the EU institutions and the French and German governments are “very constructive”. However, the group did not withdraw the statements about the timing of the delivery planning. Hudson had said that Americans could be equipped “days or weeks” before others.

“An insolence”

Experts and politicians are now warning about “vaccine nationalism”. The EU Commission declined to comment on the specific case of Sanofi, but emphasized that in the fight against him Solidarity with the Corona virus and close cooperation must be a priority. Behind the scenes, the commission was said to be actively preparing for the US government to face a confrontation with the vaccine supply.

CDU MEP and health politician Peter Liese called the Sanofi boss’s remarks “insolence.” The pharmaceutical company is constantly on the table in Brussels when it comes to receiving funds and also benefits from EU programs. “We will all remember it,” he said. Liese threatened Sanofi with compulsory licenses. Then another company could produce the vaccine, even if it existed, without Sanofi’s approval. That is technically feasible.

Federal Minister of Investigation stationed in Berlin Anja Karliczek (CDU): “Ensuring a worldwide distribution of vaccines at fair prices and guaranteeing the supply of the citizens of their own country are not opposed.” In principle, it appreciates any investment in the research and development of corona vaccines. But behind the scenes, Berlin is concerned. Sanofi is apparently pursuing the strategy of arousing desire in Europe through advancement in America and knocking out as much as possible in a “rat race.” Those who successfully develop a vaccine can “earn a golden nose,” he said.

Fair distribution?

Sanofi would not dare to drive away the giant European market, but one had yet to think of incentives for the company. There are different possibilities for this. On Monday Karliczek announced a special € 750m program to develop a corona vaccine. This can also promote your production. The Federal Minister of Health, Jens Spahn, had previously issued acceptance guarantees for products relevant to the crown, for example for German protective equipment or for an antibody test developed and produced in Bavaria by the Swiss company Roche. The same would be conceivable for Sanofi vaccines. The approval process for new products was made easier. The goal is to accelerate phase 1 studies for corona vaccines.