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Moderna's CEO on why he doesn't think waiving IP will increase mRNA vaccine supply: “If someone wants to start from scratch, they would have to figure out how to make mRNA, which is not in our patents.”
Right there, in black and white, are a few very important things. (1/10)
Right there, in black and white, are a few very important things. (1/10)
1. It confirms that Moderna’s statement in Oct 2020 about waiving patents was just PR stunt.
They deliberately left out the tech transfer part, and are saying here that the patents they would release wouldn’t be helpful anyways. https://twitter.com/realtahiramin/status/1389719600514969601?s=20
They deliberately left out the tech transfer part, and are saying here that the patents they would release wouldn’t be helpful anyways. https://twitter.com/realtahiramin/status/1389719600514969601?s=20
2. #TRIPsWaiver is only a prerequisite for expanding global manufacturing capacity.
It'll all come down to the details, and w/out tremendous pressure/scrutiny from the movement that made this happen in the first place those negotiations will ensure nothing substantive is done.
It'll all come down to the details, and w/out tremendous pressure/scrutiny from the movement that made this happen in the first place those negotiations will ensure nothing substantive is done.
3. Drugmakers like Moderna will not do anything that comprises a dollar of their profits unless they are forced too.
The U.S. said it's decision was a moral one, a response to "extraordinary circumstances." Those extraordinary circumstances don't mean a thing to Moderna.
The U.S. said it's decision was a moral one, a response to "extraordinary circumstances." Those extraordinary circumstances don't mean a thing to Moderna.
On that note, it's important to point out (as always) where the CEO made these comments: a first quarter earnings call.
4. It's on the U.S. to take the measures within its power to create the collaboration necessary to expand global manufacturing.
Moderna's CEO "quickly closed the door on providing tech transfer or monetary support to help a potential manufacturer make Moderna’s vaccine."
Moderna's CEO "quickly closed the door on providing tech transfer or monetary support to help a potential manufacturer make Moderna’s vaccine."
Of course he did. They won't do anything unless compelled. So, the U.S. has to compel them.
5. Moderna does not own all the relevant patents that go into its vaccine. The U.S. also has some.
"If the government successfully pursued its patent filings, the resulting patents would likely confer significant rights." - @PCMedsAccess https://www.citizen.org/article/the-nih-vaccine/
"If the government successfully pursued its patent filings, the resulting patents would likely confer significant rights." - @PCMedsAccess https://www.citizen.org/article/the-nih-vaccine/
With comments like what we're seeing from Moderna's CEO, not pursuing ownership is an acknowledgement from the Biden admin that their stance on #TRIPsWaiver was more for show than for anything else. https://endpts.com/moderna-ceo-brushes-off-us-support-for-ip-waiver-eyes-more-than-19b-in-covid-19-vaccine-sales-in-2021/
Publicity statements and gestures from pharmaceutical companies and governments won't end the pandemic. Immediate action will. (10/10)
