In a long-awaited announcement, Moderna Inc. has agreed to pay the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the technology used in its highly successful COVID-19 vaccine.
The agreement follows months of negotiations and controversy surrounding the issue, with some lawmakers and activists calling for the NIH to assert its patent rights and demand payment for the technology it helped develop.
Under the terms of the agreement, Moderna will pay the NIH an undisclosed sum for the use of its technology, which includes the mRNA platform used in the COVID-19 vaccine. The agreement also includes provisions for ongoing collaboration between the two organizations, with the aim of advancing research and development in the field of mRNA vaccines.
The announcement comes as Moderna faces increasing scrutiny over its handling of the vaccine rollout, with some critics accusing the company of prioritizing profits over public health. The company has denied these allegations, pointing to the unprecedented speed with which the vaccine was developed and its effectiveness in preventing COVID-19.
Despite these challenges, Moderna has emerged as a key player in the fight against COVID-19, with its vaccine currently authorized for emergency use in the United States and several other countries. The company has also been working to develop new vaccines and therapies using the mRNA platform, which many experts believe could revolutionize the field of medicine.
As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, the agreement between Moderna and the NIH is a significant step towards ensuring that critical vaccine technology is made available to those who need it most.
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