Re: CV and mad panic behaviour
Reply #1697 –
There is some value for the drug companies to go the early crow, but if they do, and it ends up going pear-shaped, they may miss the vaccine bus all together as they try to re-prove their product.
There are supposedly 100+ formulations in the pipeline, and someone(s) is going to make a s***load of money out of this.
Of note, CSL have yesterday commenced full-scale production of the Oxford/AstraZeneca formulation, with the University of Queensland formula not far behind. The idea is they will ramp up production and have product manufactured early in 2021, with the (expected) outcome that one or both of the vaccines is effective. If a vaccine doesn't work, or isn't safe, it the product will be poured down the sink. A gamble, but one which will put us 3-6 months ahead of the usual process.
Assuming the Oxford or UofQ vaccine gets the thumbs up, we will be lucky enough to have doses ready by Feb-Mar. Probably frontline workers first, followed by vulnerable populations.
A calculated risk that given the circumstances has to be taken IMO.