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If mRNA is better, then why didn't the Chinese ever use it or produce a version of it? Maybe you could argue they were slow to get on the mRNA train at first, b

by htss2013 3y ago

If mRNA is better, then why didn't the Chinese ever use it or produce a version of it? Maybe you could argue they were slow to get on the mRNA train at first, but years into the pandemic there is no plausible reason for them to not use the best technology. They are fully capable of producing mRNA vaccines just as well as the West. IP rights have never been an issue for China. The claim that it's stubborn pride is also weak because they could simply tweak a few meaningless details and claim it's superior to the West's version.

anonymouskimmer 3y ago
mRNA vaccines are still novel enough that proprietary information matters with respect to turnaround time. Why did a huge company like Pfizer team up with a small one like BioNTech? China does have at least a couple of mRNA vaccines (Walvax COVID-19 vaccine and CanSino Biologics Inc COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine), but it took them until 2021/2022 to get them to trials. They just didn't seem to have the experience in making and testing mRNA vaccines that Western companies did.
tw1984 3y ago
> If mRNA is better, then why didn't the Chinese ever use it or produce a version of it? You made two mistakes in one sentence. First of all, Chinese companies have multiple mRNA vaccines in development and at least one of them has been approved. I can get it today in my neighbourhood clinic if I want. See link below. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-65036474 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-65036474 Secondly, when there is something that is not produced or produced in China, it doesn't mean it is useless or fancy. China doesn't make 3nm chips not because it is not cool, it is because the advanced tech is simply not available in China. China does make high end LCD panels which the US doesn't build on its own, it is not because the tech is fancy and the US couldn't do it, it is simply because the industry is not considered economically viable in the US but a good money making business in China.

anonymouskimmer 3y ago

mRNA vaccines are still novel enough that proprietary information matters with respect to turnaround time. Why did a huge company like Pfizer team up with a small one like BioNTech? China does have at least a couple of mRNA vaccines (Walvax COVID-19 vaccine and CanSino Biologics Inc COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine), but it took them until 2021/2022 to get them to trials. They just didn't seem to have the experience in making and testing mRNA vaccines that Western companies did.

tw1984 3y ago

> If mRNA is better, then why didn't the Chinese ever use it or produce a version of it? You made two mistakes in one sentence. First of all, Chinese companies have multiple mRNA vaccines in development and at least one of them has been approved. I can get it today in my neighbourhood clinic if I want. See link below. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-65036474 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-65036474 Secondly, when there is something that is not produced or produced in China, it doesn't mean it is useless or fancy. China doesn't make 3nm chips not because it is not cool, it is because the advanced tech is simply not available in China. China does make high end LCD panels which the US doesn't build on its own, it is not because the tech is fancy and the US couldn't do it, it is simply because the industry is not considered economically viable in the US but a good money making business in China.