Vaccine Makers Funneled Undisclosed Campaign Cash to Democrats and Republicans in 2020

Overview

• Biopharmaceutical companies behind Covid-19 vaccines made undisclosed donations to political campaign groups in 2020.
• These actions were revealed through tax filings by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), which lobbies for major biotech companies like Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson.
• BIO traditionally made transparent PAC donations, but in 2020 began contributing significantly to dark-money groups.

Political Contributions by BIO

• Majority Forward: Received $500,000, supports Senate Democrats.
• American Bridge 21st Century: Received $250,000, supported Joe Biden’s presidential campaign and Georgia special election.
• Center Forward: Received $35,000, backed conservative Democrats, especially against drug price negotiation policies.
• One Nation: Received $250,000, supported Senate Republicans, tied to Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Impact and Influence

• BIO donations aimed to influence political outcomes favoring the pharmaceutical industry.
• Post-election, many Democrats aligned with BIO against sharing vaccine IP with low-income countries.
• The Build Back Better Act included watered-down proposals on drug price negotiations.

BIO's Strategy and Leadership

• Leadership Change: Former Rep. Jim Greenwood was replaced by Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath, who emphasizes modernizing the industry with social justice and diversity.
• BIO opposes policies that could reduce vaccine profits, such as drug price caps.
• BIO’s president criticized proposals to share vaccine IP as ineffective.

Global Vaccine Distribution and Policy

• Wealthy countries secured ample vaccines while low-income countries struggled.
• Less than 6% of Africa's population is vaccinated.
• BIO advocated for trade sanctions against countries producing generic vaccines without U.S. consent.

Lobbying and Financial Gains

• BIO's lobbying efforts influenced vaccine development, pricing, legal liability, and transparency.
• Congress provided $10.5 billion for vaccine production, benefiting companies like Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.
• Despite taxpayer funding, private corporations retained control over vaccine technology and pricing.

Financial Success

• Vaccine production has been financially lucrative for companies:
  • Pfizer, BioNTech, and Moderna earn $65,000 per minute in profits.
  • Pfizer expects $33.5 billion in sales from its Covid vaccine this year, marking it as one of the bestselling drug products.

Conclusion

• The undisclosed contributions by BIO reflect a strategic shift in political engagement to ensure favorable policies for the biotech industry.
• The influence of BIO and its members highlights the ongoing debate over vaccine distribution and pharmaceutical profits during the pandemic.