Canada and COVID-19: Our Future Depends on Industry Revitalization

  Opinion by Jean-Pierre Baylet, General Manager, Sanofi Pasteur Canada       Protecting Canadians and planning for the future by revitalizing vaccine research, development and manufacturing in Canada Vaccines work and I have seen their amazing impact throughout my career across the world in Africa, South America and South Asia: near eradication of polio, strong decline in measles cases, protection against rabies, yellow fever, and whooping cough are some examples. Their benefits are tremendous and go beyond saving lives. They help us build healthy communities, lead active social lives, and help to deliver economic resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a good reminder of how valuable vaccines are. Governments, industry and academia have joined forces to fight COVID-19 and provide safe and efficacious vaccines in record time. Canada is on track to achieve a record vaccination rate of 70% or more by the end of September – a remarkable effort by Canadians. And we must continue to increase vaccine uptake. Now that we are facing the fourth wave of the pandemic, we understand we will likely grapple with the effects of this public health crisis for quite some time. Canada must continue to secure vaccines and develop novel prevention and treatment methods for years to come. While taking immediate steps to enhance our ability to fight COVID-19 now, in the long-term it is critical that governments continue to restore and revitalize domestic vaccine research, development and manufacturing to prepare for the future.   COVID-19 protection beyond 2021 Maintaining a diversified and ample supply of vaccines is the next challenge. As the virus continues to mutate and circulate, rapid access to a large volume of differentiated vaccines will enable the best outcome for Canadians. For this reason, Sanofi has decided right from the beginning to support the global industrial effort. We are providing manufacturing support to BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Beyond lending our manufacturing expertise and capacity to bolster global COVID-19 vaccine supply, Sanofi is in the process of developing two new COVID-19 vaccines, leading with our adjuvanted recombinant protein vaccine in partnership with GSK, followed by our mRNA vaccine, both currently in clinical trials. Sanofi and GSK’s adjuvanted recombinant COVID-19 vaccine is based on a recombinant protein technology platform that has been used in another Sanofi influenza vaccine. This vaccine, if approved, should have a role to play for those still unvaccinated and could serve as a potential universal booster shot to increase the immunity of those who have received one or both initial doses (regardless of vaccine type received). Our commitment to protect public health in the face of this ongoing global pandemic also extends to investing hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure and vaccine research and development in Canada.   Sustained investment in life sciences and favourable public policies is the path forward In collaboration with industry, the investments made by governments to help renew the Canadian vaccine manufacturing infrastructure have given new life and opportunity to our domestic industry. Within the next three to five years, Canadians should expect increased vaccine manufacturing capacity from Sanofi and others which will not only provide greater public health security, increase research and development, and advance science and technology domestically, but also provide Canada with increased capability to lead internationally – to deliver supply and expertise to the global community. Such investments also benefit the entire economy by creating jobs, work for hundreds of suppliers, and contributing tax dollars. But, to keep these historic infrastructure investments thriving for many years to come, more effort will be needed, and our leaders and decision makers must drive forward a long-term life sciences strategy that creates the conditions for continued investment from industry. A long-term life sciences strategy includes developing the talent required to fill highly specialized roles in research and development and biomanufacturing and retaining this talent domestically. This talent is needed to fill existing roles right now. It also includes ensuring a competitive regulatory, intellectual property and pricing environment for industry to invest in innovative and breakthrough technologies, drugs, and vaccines that improve and save lives. We know now, the historical decision to not prioritize vaccine development and manufacturing in Canada did not generate the right market conditions to incentivize industry investment in Canada.  Although change is underway, forging forward with policy decisions that focus on cost alone is a poor decision. Policy makers must capture the true value of vaccination and of established strategic relationships with manufacturers like Sanofi, who have expertise, established global industrial footprints, and long-standing commitments to Canadian operations.  Procurement cost reduction focused strategies may help save money in the near-term; but when we need domestic vaccine and drug supplies to protect the health of Canadians, this approach minimizes Canada on the global stage and leaves Canadians vulnerable.   Always strengthening our domestic capacity The groundwork has been laid to protect Canadians now and in the near-term against this deadly virus and others. Large investments of public funds are being directed to research and development. Clear plans have been established to strengthen domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity. Canadian research is contributing to the development of new vaccine technologies like mRNA. We have acknowledged the full value of vaccines. To achieve the best public health outcomes, partnerships and collaboration between industry, government, academia, and the public must continue, backed by policies established to strengthen our domestic capacity and innovation at all times, not only in times of crisis. Learn more about Sanofi's commitment to innovation.