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Public sector innovation and the constraints of ‘platform thinking’: An account of Johnson & Johnson's adenoviral vector vaccines

Author

Listed:
  • Sariahmed, Karim
  • Graham, Janice E.
  • Herder, Matthew
  • Morten, Christopher J.

Abstract

Scholarship on political economy of vaccines in the COVID-19 era has focused on mRNA. Yet Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) vaccine based on recombinant adenovirus type 26 (Ad26) was effective against COVID-19, widely distributed, and earned billions in revenue. The story of J&J's “proprietary” Ad26-based, “AdVac”-branded vaccine “platform” spans decades and multiple pathogens besides SARS-CoV-2, including HIV and ebolavirus. The AdVac “platform” exemplifies the role of the “platform” in modern vaccine development. Our work asks: what is a vaccine “platform”? What role do platforms play in “assetization” of science?

Suggested Citation

  • Sariahmed, Karim & Graham, Janice E. & Herder, Matthew & Morten, Christopher J., 2025. "Public sector innovation and the constraints of ‘platform thinking’: An account of Johnson & Johnson's adenoviral vector vaccines," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 387(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:387:y:2025:i:c:s0277953625010184
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118687
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    References listed on IDEAS

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