Would They Do It Again?

An early calculation estimated Pfizer and BioNTech, would each make $13bn from the sales of their vaccine (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/10/pfizer-and-biontech-could-make-13bn-from-coronavirus-vaccine). Similar profits will presumably be made by Moderna for theirs. AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson both pledged to produce their vaccines on a not-for-profit basis. The AstraZeneca pledge is for the 'duration of the pandemic'. The company also reserve the right to declare, when they think the pandemic is over. In spite of this 'get-out' clause, the company appeared to be, at least initially, broadly acting in the public interest. They, no doubt, calculated they would 'get brownie points' for their actions. It was consequently rather sad, to hear on the radio, an AstraZeneca executive, on being asked if the company would strike another not-for-profit deal, replied "Probably not!" They do seem to have had a comparatively rough ride.