Big Tobacco’s divestment from Quebec’s Medicago ‘a step in the right direction’ for its COVID vaccine | 24CA News
Tobacco firm Philip Morris International has divested all of its shares from Medicago, a Canadian vaccine collaborator whose plant-based COVID-19 vaccine, Covifenz, was initially rejected by the World Health Organization over its ties with Big Tobacco.
In an announcement on Thursday, Philip Morris spokesperson David Fraser stated the corporate determined to divest its stake in Medicago and that it is “the most appropriate way forward.”
“We have long believed in the public health potential of Medicago’s innovative approach for developing new plant-based vaccines and we hope this potential is realized for the benefit of global public health,” Fraser stated in an e mail.
Medicago, whose headquarters is in Quebec, is now 100 per cent owned by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma. Before the choice, Philip Morris, which produces Marlboro cigarettes, owned 21 per cent of the corporate’s shares.
In an e mail to 24CA News, the Quebec firm stated the divestment is “the most appropriate way forward.” A spokesperson for Medicago stated this ensures its “future growth and ability to achieve its mission,” which is to “create and deliver effective responses to emerging global health challenges.”
Covifenz can now attain worldwide markets
In 2020, the federal authorities gave Medicago $173 million to develop its vaccine, construct a brand new manufacturing facility and buy 76 million doses. In February, Health Canada permitted Covifenz for adults 18 to 64 years previous — making it the primary plant-based vaccine to be permitted to be used in Canada.
But in March, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated it is not accepting Medicago’s request for Covifenz’s emergency use, because of the firm’s “linkage with the tobacco industry.”
WHO stated the choice was placed on maintain, which briefly saved Covifenz out of COVAX, a global COVID-19 vaccine-sharing initiative.
François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s minister of innovation, science and business, stated the federal authorities has been working with Medicago and its shareholders to “find a solution that supports the growth of the company.”
“This transaction is a step in the right direction, and we will continue to follow this matter very closely,” Champagne stated in an e mail.
Dr. Scott Halperin, director of the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, stated the choice now permits Medicago to distribute its vaccine internationally if it reapplies with WHO.
“It’s important because it allows Medicago to play on the international stage … so I think it could be very good news,” Halperin stated.
“One would have to hypothesize that if Medicago was no longer able to have any type of global vaccine market that they would be a horrible investment for anybody.”
Public Services and Procurement Canada did not reply CBC’s questions on when the 76 million doses of Covifenz are anticipated to be delivered from Medicago.
In an announcement, the division stated negotiations between Ottawa and Medicago “are ongoing.”
Decision applauded by tobacco critic
Les Hagen, government director of Action on Smoking and Health, a charity advocating for tobacco management, discount and prevention, stated he is “relieved” that Canada is now not collaborating with a multinational tobacco firm.
“It’s good news,” he stated. “Hopefully this vaccine can get another review by the World Health Organization.”
Hagen criticized the federal government’s choice to collaborate with Medicago within the first place, stating that public funds might have been higher invested in different Canadian firms that are not backed by Big Tobacco, which he accuses of attempting to “whitewash” its picture.
“We felt that it was highly unethical. It’s actually a contravention of a legally binding treaty: the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control,” he stated.
The framework, which is managed by WHO, commits to guard public well being insurance policies “from the commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry.” Canada signed it in 2005.
Earlier this yr, a spokesperson for the Public Health Agency of Canada stated the federal authorities “studied the matter of its investment in Medicago carefully” and believes it’s nonetheless “compliant with its treaty obligations related to tobacco control” with WHO.
‘We want that capability in Canada’
Halperin of Dalhousie stated Medicago’s vaccine is produced within the leaf of a plant that is a relative of tobacco and that the plant itself acts as a “factory” for producing viral particles which can be a part of the vaccine.
“It’s very novel technology,” he stated, including that Covifenz is the primary vaccine that makes use of this know-how to combat COVID-19.
Canada misplaced the aptitude to supply its vaccines years in the past because of the consolidation and buyout of many firms, and the federal government has acknowledged that deficiency, Halperin stated.
“That’s going to take time to rebuild…. The Medicago story is just one aspect of it,” he stated, including that it’s important to have home vaccine-supply skill as a result of borders have a tendency to shut throughout emergencies.
“Despite what everybody says about global co-operation, borders still close and we need that capacity in Canada — both for our own capability but also to contribute to the international scene.”
