GSK and Sanofi join forces to research a vaccine

The coronavirus has prompted collaboration in the pharmaceutical sector, with GSK joining forces with Sanofi to develop a series of coronavirus vaccines, and AstraZeneca to increase the UK's coronavirus testing ability.

In remarkable times, joint ventures can help to accelerate innovation ultimately to enhance social welfare. Cooperation between businesses to achieve social aims is not the same as collusive behaviour - something the competition authorities will be keen to stress. That said, the vaccine is likely to remain at least a year off.