The novel coronavirus strain, COVID-19 has brought the whole world to a halt. The pandemic reports 8,59,032 infected cases and 42,322 deaths so far. COVID-19 has scared people so much that every single cough or sneeze leaves people panic-stricken. The pharmaceutical sector has gained attention in light of the break out as companies contend to synthesize vaccines for this disastrous disease.

Investment of millions of dollars is required to develop any new vaccine or drug. The pharmaceutical companies usually compensate for this investment by patenting the products and obtaining exclusive rights to produce or sell or license them. But, the current situation with the virus spreading to more than 196 countries has demanded the pharmaceutical companies and Governments to think beyond profits. Here are some interesting events around us as nations race to synthesize and patent the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Current Status

More than 43 reputed biotech and pharmaceutical firms around the world are putting in relentless efforts to discover the COVID-19 vaccine. The US, Europe, and China are already ahead in the race and have moved on to trials. Generally, only one in ten trial vaccines move up for regulatory approval. The heavy competition among companies with a multi-angled approach is appreciated to increase odds of success. Currently, one vaccine has entered human trial; 8-10 vaccines are nearing the stage of the human trial while the rest are in pre-clinical testing.

Moderna in the USA has partnered with the US National Institutes of Health and reached the stage of phase I trial rapidly. It has entered the first batch of an mRNA-1273 vaccine against COVID-19 for trial at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious diseases (MD, USA).

Clover Biopharmaceuticals in China has obtained an adjuvant from GlaxoSmithKline (London, UK) to be used with COVID-19 S-Trimer, a potential protein-based vaccine.

Political Tension Between China and America

Gilead, a US pharmaceutical firm, has the patent for the anti-viral drug Remesdivir, currently used to treat COVID-19 patients. Remesdivir was originally developed to treat the Ebola virus. Gilead had donated this drug to China during the outbreak to check if it had any effect on treating the novel coronavirus. On finding the drug effective, the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China has registered a utility-model patent to treat COVID-19 with Klokuin (malaria drug) and Remesdivir. If China’s registered patent involves a mere combination of two drugs and no innovation, it is unlikely that a patent will be granted. In case, China receives a patent, Gilead will gain compensation for the use of Remesdivir.

China has adopted a defensive strategy to gain access to Remesdivir and lower the licensing fee in the future. This shows a lack of trust between two powerful countries. This act has left other foreign pharmaceutical companies deterrent in trying their vaccines on China, fearing China tampering on their Intellectual Property Rights.

Views of Other Nations

Most nations have understood the need for removing stringent patent rules on COVID-19 vaccines and medicines to make them available to the world population at affordable prices.

Europe has readily announced that if it discovered the vaccine, it would gladly make it available to the whole world population.

Chile, Canada, Ecuador, and Germany have granted ‘compulsory license’ to all medicines, vaccines, and tools used in the treatment of COVID-19, making it easier to gain access to them.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has addressed the need to make the vaccine and drugs readily available at affordable prices. Hence, it has asked Governments to take steps on not to patent or profit on these medicines.

The Israel Government has announced ‘compulsory licensing’ for patents on drugs that are under investigation to treat coronavirus in their country.

The President of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado Quesada and Health Minister, Daniel Salas Peraza have written to the Director-General of World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stating,” Given the urgency of this matter, Costa Rica proposes that the WHO develop an initial concise memorandum of understanding on sharing technologies and the pool should allow free access or licensing on reasonable and affordable terms, in every member country”.

India’s Status on COVID-19 Vaccine

India has geared up its research to treat and prevent coronavirus infections with more than 20 research institutes working on it. The Serum Institute of India is planning to collaborate with Codagenix, the USA to work on building a vaccine through a software platform.

Raman R Gangakhedkar from the Indian Council of Medical Research in an interview with Economic Times said, “At least 30 different vaccine groups are under development. Of these, five are already in the phase of animal toxicity studies. We have indicated our willingness for vaccine trials if something comes up. The department of biotechnology has been entrusted with this work.”

Nations must realize this is not a contest among themselves but a war between COVID-19 and the human race. Governments and multinational Private companies must come forward setting aside their political insecurity and distrust to work on bringing out people from this outbreak. Staying united and supporting each other irrespective of our nationality is what matters the most now.

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