CORPORATION
Prompt - Corporation : Write about big business
"What do you have for us today Dr Simmons? Your message suggested this was something important, so we have convened this meeting at short notice to hear if it really is."
"We think we've done it. This one is different to what's out there already, and could have huge live saving potential."
"Could have? perhaps you'd like to give us the background first?"
"We've been looking at the covid vaccines that are already available, and specifically trying to work out why they only offer partial immunity and why they often struggle to cope with new variants. Trials to date suggest we have found a means to create a vaccine that will give full projection against the virus, and that creates antibodies that will be able to mutate themselves to deal with many new variants." Simmons paused to let the implications of his words sink in. "This could replace all existing vaccines and hugely reduce the threat of further waves, if we can have a global rollout."
"I see." Grant rested his elbows on the table and interlocked his fingers, resting his chin on his hands. He looked around at his fellow directors, seeing a mix of curiosity and mild alarm on their faces. They were thinking what he was thinking. "And what is it you need from us? How much and how long?"
"It's not so much the money, but the need for speed to get this out into the world. We need more brains working on this, so we'd like your agreement to share our findings with other research institutions around the world. We've managed to create a couple of likely variations of the covid-a9 cells, based on how they've managed to mutate to date, but we really need to try out at least twenty, and we don't have the resources to that in a hurry. If we can get other labs working on developing different variations we could slash the testing time and get this out into the world."
The mild alarm had changed to concern. The implications were registering on the minds around the table. Grant voiced what they were all worrying about.
"So what sort of timescale would you be looking at it if you continued as you were, developing this for the corporation that employs you?" Simmons looked taken aback at the implied reminder of where his loyalties should lie.
"If we carry on as we're going we think it would be another forty five months before we could be completely confident that this vaccine will do what we hope it will."
"And if you were to... 'cooperate' with others?"
"Potentially we could reduce that to less than six months." Conscious of the need to muster some sort of counter attack he followed it with " The benefits to the world would be huge, so many lives saved, so many people not left suffering from long covid."
You could almost hear the brains whirring as eleven middle aged men did some rapid calculations.
"And at that point our existing vaccine would effectively become redundant?"
"Not immediately perhaps, for it would take some time to manufacture and roll this out on the scale needed, and at least the existing vaccines provide some level of protection. It would all depend on the logistical side, but after what we've been through in the past couple of years you would think that could all be done quite rapidly now, wouldn't you?"
"Yes, yes, you're probably right there. So that with this cooperation on the research you suggest, and, presumably, global cooperation on the manufacture of your new vaccine, our existing product would be of little use within a year?"
"Yes, probably, but this new vaccine has the potential to take the whole programme a step further and kill off the pandemic for good."
"And if this were to work as you say, how long would this new vaccine be in use for?"
"That's the real beauty of it. If this works as we think it will it should give the body a chance to develop immunity. There might be need for a booster shot for some of the earlier recipients, but not later. We can pretty well eradicate this virus." And even as he said it he knew he'd let his enthusiasm get the better of him, the faces showing that he'd chosen the wrong path, given too much.
Grant looked around at his fellow board members, exchanged nods with Reynolds, the CFO, who now addressed Simmons and the two members of his team standing behind him.
"We won't realise the full return on investment in our existing vaccine for another eighteen months. You're suggesting that we accept losing on that return, and losing the opportunity for future profits from it. Not only that, but you appear to be suggesting that we lose exclusive rights to manufacture and market the new vaccine, the research for which we have paid for in its entirety. Thus eliminating the potential for a market advantage and considerable income stream. Is that right?"
Simmons paused, long enough for Grant to chip in.
"And I think that we can all agree that Mr Reynolds voices the concerns of the entire board." Mutters of agreement rained in from around the table.
"But this is something radical, something that could be of huge benefit to humanity. Yes, it might lead to some reduction in profits, but you would have the gratitude of the whole world, and the reputational benefits that would bring."
"Reputational? Yes. But not the financial benefits to which we are entitled, having provided the facilities and finances for this development. Our duty to our shareholders is clear here." More muttered assents in response to Reynold's sternly toned words.
Grant took over again. "We will have our discussion of this matter, and may call you back to provide further information. But for now we thank you for all the work you've put in, the clear progress you've made, and what it means to this company. We'll let you know."
Dismissed like a dog, Dr Simmons and his colleagues left the boardroom and returned to their own office. They looked at him dejectedly, neither saying a word.
And were amazed when their boss smiled.
"Well, that went much as expected. And I don't think we can be in much doubt what their decision will be, unless they are given a nudge in the right direction."
They waited to hear what form this nudge might take.
"You know my wife works for Griffin, the PR outfit?" Both nodded. "Which gives her a lot of contact with journalists." Both looked at one another, evaluating. "I'll say no more. We need to do continue with our work on the vaccine. I've had some exchanges with Professor Gregoire in Nancy and he is keen to do what he can to help. And when the nudge comes... and it will be a big one... well, it will be on my shoulders."
Both looked at one another again. "I think the team will have to disagree with you for once doctor" said one.
"Strongly" said the other.
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