Hugo Sigman denies COVID-19 vaccine irregularities in Argentina

Pharmaceutical businessman Hugo Sigman has submitted a formal defense to the Argentine judiciary, requesting dismissal from an investigation into alleged irregularities regarding COVID-19 vaccine procurement and production during the pandemic.

Sigman, whose Grupo Insud was central to an agreement to produce the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine in Argentina, denied any wrongdoing or undue benefits. He argued that delays in negotiations, including those with Pfizer, were due to legal and regulatory complexities rather than misconduct. He maintained that his companies operated within the extraordinary context of global vaccine and medical supply shortages.

The investigation, overseen by federal judge Ariel Lijo and prosecutor Ramiro González, seeks to determine if companies linked to Sigman were unfairly favored during the administration of Alberto Fernández. A key focus is the role of mAbxience, a laboratory linked to Sigman, in manufacturing the active ingredient for the AstraZeneca vaccine. The judicial inquiry is examining contracts, communications, and production processes to establish if any criminal conduct occurred regarding the distribution and handling of doses.