Pharmaceutical industry promises covid-19 vaccine within 12 to 18 months

Pharmaceutical multinationals are committed to delivering a Covid-19 vaccine within an estimated time of 12 to 18 months. Dozens of clinical studies are currently underway to develop cheaper and more efficient screening kits and to develop a treatment or vaccine against the coronavirus.

“We will ensure that the covid-19 vaccine is available to everyone. Even if it is produced elsewhere in the world,” said Paul Stoffels as Vice President of the Johnson & Johnson Executive Committee. “It is a promise we make as the pharmaceutical industry.”

“Exceptional Times”

Administrative formalities, such as marketing authorizations, can be simplified and accelerated in this race against the clock. “Resources are plentiful, and public-private partnerships help mitigate the financial risk associated with the colossal investments required,” Paul said.

“We are living in exceptional times, and the industry is responding to that,” adds David Ricks. He is CEO of Eli Lilly and Company and also chairman of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (IFPMA). “We have three areas of work: distributing (…), refocusing existing technology (…) and creating new treatments, new vaccines, and new screening tests that will help eradicate Covid-19.”

“Huge Challenge”

“It takes 12 to 18 months to get a vaccine on the market,” said David Loew as Executive Vice President of Sanofi and Manager of Sanofi Pasteur. The industry recognizes that this deadline is a “very ambitious estimate”, but realistic if legal periods are shortened.

Once regulatory authorities have validated the formula, it will be necessary to produce sufficient quantities of the covid-19 vaccine and ensure delivery around the world. “We are talking about billions of people, it is a huge challenge,” concludes Loew.