Global Drive Launched to Develop COVID-19 Vaccine, an Industrial Info Market Brief

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The World Health Organization (WHO), along with leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, have come together in an $8 billion effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The main component of the plan is to develop a vaccine and ensure equal access to it. No favoritism is to be granted to whichever country first develops an effective treatment. More than 160 current and former global leaders and drug company executives support the funding to accelerate the drive for a vaccine, cure and treatment for COVID-19 and prevention of a second wave. According to Reuters, a U.S. spokesman said, "There will be no U.S. official participation."