MODERNA has reportedly refused a request from China to share the tech behind its Covid-19 vaccine.

Moderna's rejection prompted negotiations for the sale of its vaccine in China to fall apart, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the talks.

The US pharmaceutical giant, which refused to hand over its intellectual property over commercial and safety concerns, remains "eager" to sell its product in China, despite the dissolution of negotiations between 2020 and 2021.

China has relied on domesticallydeveloped Covid-19 vaccines, and currently procures none of its jabs with foreign companies.

Moderna chief medical officer Paul Burton said last month: "We would certainly be very eager to collaborate with China if they felt that there was a need for a vaccine there.

"Currently, there is no activity going on, but we'd be very open to it."

Moderna was contacted for comment.

(c) 2022 City A.M., source Newspaper