I dont see why you are against competition and splitting risk across technologies and geography.
That is probably because I am quite clearly against neither and I am puzzled why you state that I am.
Let us recap where the Federal Government is at with respect to Covid 19 vaccines.
- Has split risk by backing multiple vaccines and in particular 3 initially. The Qld one which is not viable was dropped. It has added more as time has gone on.
- (Some are still subject to approval). Currently it has agreements for 4 the supply of different vaccine sources
- Pfizer
- AZ - Made Overseas and in Australia
- Novavax - Made several locations across Europe.
- and Covax (see below)
- Geographically the Federal Government has also spread risk. ie AZ in Melb. AZ from overseas. Pfizer from overseas. Novavax from overseas.
Covax
Potential COVAX Facility vaccines The following 9 vaccine candidates are in various clinical trial stages and, if found successful, will be included in the COVAX Facility.
Developer | Type | Status |
---|
AstraZeneca / University of Oxford | Viral vector vaccine | Phase 3 clinical trials |
Novavax | Protein subunit vaccine | Phase 3 clinical trials |
Moderna | mRNA based vaccine | Phase 3 clinical trials |
CureVac | mRNA based vaccine | Phase 2 clinical trials |
Sanofi / GSK | Protein subunit vaccine | Phase 1/2 clinical trials |
Inovio | DNA based vaccine Ph | Phase 1/2 clinical trials |
Clover Biopharmaceuticals / GSK / Dynavax | Protein subunit vaccine | Phase 1 clinical trials |
Institut Pasteur / Merck / Themis | Viral vector vaccine | Phase 1 clinical trials |
University of Hong Kong | Viral vector vaccine | Preclinical |
See more:
Australia’s vaccine agreements
Now any one (or rather any large multinational!) is free to approach the Federal Goverment to supply vaccines. However the number of organisations that can do so are limited, and moreso here in Australia.
It requires great expertise, experience and a very large cashflow even if one can secure a government contract in advance.
Remember that a company cannot just start manufacturing a Covid 19 Vaccine. It either has to obtain a licence to do so, or develop its own at huge front end cost. Such companies will also want a ongoing business, and so unless they have related products they are unlikely to enter such a specialised market.
CSL was an obvious candidate and has done so. CSL has also already indicated that they may also produce mRNA.
Having many vaccine choices is good for apart from the risk aspects, ultimately some will be better for different cohorts.
Commonwealth has largely sponsored CSL but that should not prevent them nor the states incentivising private companies to invest and create onshore capabilities to compete with CSL especially if those facilities can offer different types of vaccines. It creates jobs ( the high tech ones we need) and secures supply for Australia and the region.
Every company in the world that is capable of such an enterprise would have already approached multiple governments including the Australian Federal Government long ago.
This is not a simple pipeline that can be turned on or off, and few very companies would have the capability of doing so.
Companies also need a long term horizon to enter or be in such an industry. Vaccine manufacturer is not some that you just enter into for a short period.
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