Technological order and technology transfer of the vaccine for COVID-19 in Brazil: a case study of the model used by AstraZeneca/Oxford and Fiocruz

Resumen

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, showed a rapid increase in the number of cases and deaths in the five continents, with a major impact in the public health and the economy of the countries. The effects of COVID-19 have highlighted an increase in existing inequalities in society. A global mobilization for the development and rapid production of vaccines was needed to meet the emergency demand caused by COVID-19. Objective: To discuss actions carried out by Fiocruz in the challenges imposed by the emergency to combat the disease, in addition to analyzing and discussing the partnership established between Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz and AstraZeneca, through Technological Order (ETEC), aiming at the verticalized Technology Transfer (TT) of the CHADOX1 NCOV-19 vaccine. Method: A documentary analysis of a descriptive nature and qualitative approach was carried out, based on the search for scientific articles on the subject, and institutional documents, as well as a thorough procedural analysis of ETEC, formalized between Fiocruz and AstraZeneca. Results: Although the National Policy for Technological Innovation in Health (PNITS) describes three viable legal instruments for formalizing partnerships, ETEC was the most adequate to meet the demands imposed by the health emergency of COVID-19, reinforcing the importance of using the State’s purchasing power as an instrument for strengthening the State Health Care System (SUS) within the scope of the Health Industrial Complex. Conclusions: Even  considering the health emergency caused by COVID-19, Bio- Manguinhos/Fiocruz managed to establish a partnership with AstraZeneca, aiming at the TT for the national verticalized production of the COVID-19 vaccine, for the attendance of SUS ́s demand. The legal instrument chosen for the formalization of the partnership was ETEC, the first used in the public health area, which proved feasible to be reproduced in future partnerships aiming at the internalization of technologies of national interest. From the absorption of this technology, Bio-Manguinhos will be able to develop new vaccines of HM’s interest using the same technology.