Sanofi Mobilizes to Develop a Vaccine against COVID-19

The rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus across the globe has spurred governments and the pharmaceutical industry worldwide to pull together and attempt to stop a pandemic in its tracks. I joined one of these collaborations at the White House with President Trump; a vaccine against the virus was front and center of the discussion and it was heartening to see the show of solidarity and collaboration among the business and government leaders who were present.

I have spent more than 29 years in vaccines research and development, working to help prevent the spread of disease. I have been on the front lines against diseases including HPV, rotavirus, shingles and influenza. With the emergence of COVID-19, the public health community is doing what needs to be done in moments like these: marshaling resources, coordinating responses, recommending how to stop transmission of the disease and treat the afflicted. Those of us who work on vaccines are doing our part as well.

Fighting an emerging pandemic is an enormous undertaking requiring the entire pharmaceutical “ecosystem” to come together at pace and at a scale that are both extraordinary.

Click HERE to Register for the MS Beacon Newsletter

Developing and manufacturing vaccines is a complex journey. It normally takes considerable time to produce, test, package and deliver high quality, safe and effective vaccines that protect public health.  Because the industry is pursuing new methods to combat COVID-19, widespread, accelerated success will be challenging but can be accomplished when science, manufacturing and regulators work with urgency toward a common purpose.