G20 to commit to cutting period to develop vaccines

Leaders of the world's 20 largest economies are set to commit to supporting cutting to 100 days the period in which pharmaceutical companies can develop new vaccines, drugs and tests during a pandemic, according to a draft joint document.

In normal circumstances developing vaccines takes more than a decade, but the Covid-19 pandemic spurred an unprecedented rush in research, trials and regulatory procedures that made it possible to have vaccines ready in less than a year. Now G20 leaders want that period cut further.

In health emergencies caused by pandemics "we will support science to shorten the cycle for the development of safe and effective vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics from 300 to 100 days," the G20 leaders say in a draft statement which they are set to adopt over the weekend at a summit in Rome. The draft is still subject to last-minute changes, but officials said this commitment was expected to remain unchanged.

One of the measures seen as crucial to cut the time needed to develop vaccines and drugs is the shortening of clinical trials. This could be possible by facilitating cooperation for conducting trials, setting up large registries for volunteers and involving regulators more closely during the trials.

Data sharing is also to be encouraged to speed up research. New technologies, such as the messenger RNA, have also demonstrated they permit faster development of new vaccines.

G20 leaders will also support the goal of the World Health Organization (WHO) to vaccinate 70% of the eligible population in each country globally by mid-2022, the draft conclusions of the summit say.