CORBEVAX, a new patent-free COVID-19 vaccine, could be a pandemic game changer

[iluvtennis]

https://theconversation.com/corbevax-a-new-patent-free-covid-19-vaccine-could-be-a-pandemic-game-changer-globally-174672

The world now has a new COVID-19 vaccine in its arsenal, and at a fraction of the cost per dose.

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has seen over 314 million infections and over 5.5 million deaths worldwide. Approximately 60% of the world population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. But there is still a glaring and alarming gap in global access to these vaccines. As a virologist who has followed this pandemic closely, I contend that this vaccine inequity should be of grave concern to everyone.

If the world has learned anything from this pandemic, it’s that viruses do not need a passport. And yet approximately 77% of people in high- and upper-middle-income countries have received at least one dose of the vaccine – and only 10% in low-income countries. Wealthy countries are giving boosters, and even fourth doses, while first and second doses are not available to many worldwide.

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A large U.S.-based clinical trial found the vaccine to be safe, well tolerated and over 90% effective at preventing symptomatic infections. The vaccine received emergency use authorization in India, and other developing countries are expected to follow.

Interestingly, the group at Baylor was not able to drum up interest or funding in the U.S. for their vaccine. Instead, newer technologies such as mRNA vaccines raced ahead, even though Bottazzi and Hotez’s vaccine design was more advanced, thanks to their previous work during the 2003 SARS and 2012 MERS outbreaks.

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COBREVAX is currently licensed patent-free to Biological E. Limited (BioE), India’s largest vaccine maker, which plans to manufacture at least 100 million doses per month starting in February 2022. This patent-free arrangement means that other low- and middle-income countries can produce and distribute this cheap, stable and relatively easy-to-scale vaccine locally.

Combined, this means that CORBEVAX is one of the cheapest .

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Very good stuff. Figures that there would be no interest by money hungry American pharmaceuticals in producing this vaccine

[dem4decades]

1. I want one kids can take, and everyone else too.

[2naSalit]

2. If I had the money...

I'd fund it.

[iluvtennis]

3. Me too.

[ananda]

4. Wow. Fantastic!

Get this out around the world STAT !!!!!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

5. Dr. Hotez has a cheap/more traditional/old style vaccine

Last edited Fri Jan 21, 2022, 10:25 PM - Edit history (1)

My temple had Dr. Hotez speak on high holy day services. He is an amazing man. He discussed the fact that Baylor has developed a very cheap vaccine that has not gotten FDA approval but will be used overseas.

Link to tweet

Now, nearly 18 months later, the Houston team’s vaccine, called Corbevax by its maker in India, is cheap, has no patent, can be made by many vaccine producers globally — including those in low- and middle-income countries — and is poised to receive approval for widespread global use.

The Indian government has promised the biopharmaceutical company Biological E Limited, which is making the vaccine in that country, that it will buy 300 million doses with the potential for more.

A halal version of the vaccine, for use in Islamic countries because it doesn’t contain animal-based ingredients, is also about to start clinical trials in Indonesia.

And later this year, the company hopes the vaccine will be endorsed by the World Health Organization for use globally, which could open the doors to quicker authorization in several countries that need it.....

“Much of sub-Saharan Africa, large swaths of Latin America and other places like that — they really don’t have access to the [mRNA] vaccines,” said Cutrell, an associate professor in the department of internal medicine. “That makes it really important and attractive to have some of these cheaper, easier-to-distribute — but hopefully similarly effective — vaccines with more traditional technology, which I think this vaccine and other vaccines like it can contribute.”

The article discusses the fact that this is a more traditional vaccine that may help with some anti-vaxxers. I am proud to have Dr. Hotze as part of the Houston Jewish community

[iluvtennis]

6. Thanks for posting this add'l info. This patent free vaccine

has a lot of promise and can’t wait for WHO to approve it for global use.

And happy to hear how Dr Hotez supports your community. He has been providing expert commentary on COVID and vaccines on MSNBC for the last two years.