Amazon wants to prevent the common cold with a vaccine

Amazon, the e-commerce giant that continues to increasingly dip its toe into the healthcare space, is reportedly working on a vaccine that could cure the common cold, according to CNBC. The work is a years-long effort with a secret name, “Project Gesundheit,” CNBC reported, citing sources familiar with the project.

Amazon has dedicated more than 100 people in its research and development group within AWS called Grand Challenge, with a small subset working on curing the common cold with the goal of developing a vaccine. A vaccine for the common cold has eluded healthcare specialists, but some experts say a treatment is possible.

While Amazon hasn’t publicly acknowledged Grand Challenge, the group is focused on solving significant challenges. And a big breakthrough would mean Amazon built its next big business from within, CNBC reported.

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Amy Baxter

Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."

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