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This seems like a performative move that does nothing at best, and destroys the credibility of mRNA vaccines at worst. The manufacture of these vaccines is not
by thepasswordis 5y ago
This seems like a performative move that does nothing at best, and destroys the credibility of mRNA vaccines at worst.
The manufacture of these vaccines is not simple. It is not simply a matter of the US “waiving” a patent. However if other countries decide to participate in this performance, they may end up just manufacturing a vaccine which doesn’t work.
The virus is killing thousands per day. Do you really think a major country like India isn’t manufacturing the cure simply because of a patent?
China blatantly, openly, and proudly flaunts patents as a core part of their manufacturing economy. Why aren’t they manufacturing the mRNA vaccines, giving it away to countries that want it, and looking like the good guy here?
Because waiving the patent does nothing but generate positive press. It’s a fugazi.
- newsclues 5y agoIf as you state, countries like India are going to ignore the patent anyway, doesn’t it make sense to give it to them and help ensure they produce it successfully to save the world from the pandemic?
- thepasswordis 5y agoUnless their is some mixing of terms here, a patent is already public data. India isn’t actually being given anything at all other than a suggestion that we might not support a lawsuit against them for making the vaccine.
- mucholove 5y agoMy understanding is so: Patents read like a menu item. “Chocolate cake with peanut butter and strawberries.” Or “Adenovirus #16 with coronavirus XXX sample modification.” To make the vaccine you also need—“whip up 2 eggs, 4 cups of flour and a 30 ml of oil.” Companies often withhold this info so that they can keep the edge and to make the cost of copy much higher.
- jfk13 5y ago> proudly flaunts patents I'm pretty sure you meant "flouts" here.
- maxerickson 5y agoBioNTech has a Chinese partner, their vaccine isn't approved in China yet. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/fosun-follows-biontech-changing-covid-19-vaccine-plans-bridging-study-for-chinese-filing https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/fosun-follows-biontech... https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-plans-to-approve-first-foreign-covid-19-vaccine-by-july-11618574842 https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-plans-to-approve-first-fo...