In a not surprising turn of events, the New York Times is reporting that:
Almost a decade ago, scientists from Canada and the United States reported that they had created a vaccine that was 100 percent effective in protecting monkeys against the Ebola virus. The results were published in a respected journal, and health officials called them exciting. The researchers said tests in people might start within two years, and a product could potentially be ready for licensing by 2010 or 2011.
As you have probably have guessed, that optimistic schedule never materialized.
Its development stalled in part because Ebola was rare, and until now outbreaks had infected only a few hundred people at a time. But experts also acknowledge that the lack of follow-up on such a promising candidate reflects a broader failure to produce medicines and vaccines for diseases that afflict poor countries. Most drug companies have resisted spending the enormous sums needed to to develop products useful mostly to poor countries with little ability to pay for them.
Oh privatization, you are a cruel mistress indeed! On the upside, top earners in the tech industry have stepped up to combat Ebola with sizeable donations in the last two weeks. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has donated $50 million, Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Dr. Priscilla Chan have donated $25 million and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen just announced a $100 million dollar donation. Maybe big pharm will get in on the act. But, as the movies will tell you, drug dealers don't give away their stash for free.