Funding bias always existed in science.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funding_bias#:~:text=Funding%2....
But at the start of the pandemic, Pfizer lobbyists out-lobbying everyone else while rushing to corner the market and their sole product being a mRNA vaccine did the rest. They even out-lobbied other mRNA vaccine producers. European Commission's president van Leyen is currently being investigated by Europe's highest court for refusing to divulge her message history with Pfizer lobbyists.