WHO rejects Quebec’s Medicago COVID-19 vaccine over company’s tobacco ties

The World Well being Group has determined to not approve Quebec’s Medicago COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, citing the corporate’s ties to massive tobacco.

The choice was anticipated, because the WHO paused the method for pre-qualification of the corporate’s new Covifenz shot final week. Marlboro cigarette producer, Philip Morris Worldwide, is a shareholder of the Quebec Metropolis-based firm. 

In an announcement to CBC Information on Friday, the WHO mentioned the corporate’s request for emergency use itemizing of its vaccine was denied, successfully protecting it out of the COVID-19 Vaccines International Entry (COVAX) program, a world vaccine-sharing initiative.

It mentioned Medicago has been knowledgeable of this choice, which was made “due to the linkage with the tobacco trade and WHO’s strict coverage on not partaking with firms that promote tobacco,” the assertion reads.

Medicago CEO and president Takashia Nagao mentioned the cigarette firm is a minority shareholder and the WHO’s choice was not primarily based on “the demonstrated security and efficacy profile of our COVID-19 vaccine.”

Philip Morris Investments, a subsidiary of the tobacco large, at the moment holds an roughly one-third fairness stake within the firm. 

The WHO mentioned it’s at the moment exploring completely different coverage choices for probably legitimate well being merchandise which are linked to the tobacco trade and “will make a decision quickly.” 

This implies Medicago might nonetheless be thought of for emergency use itemizing, in addition to different merchandise sooner or later, the WHO mentioned.

Medicago, the one plant-based COVID-19 vaccine authorized to be used in Canada, would add one other 20 million doses to the COVAX alliance.

The vaccine was authorized to be used by Well being Canada in February for adults 18 to 64 years of age.