PH gov’t in talks with six potential vaccine manufacturers
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) disclosed that it is in “advanced talks” with six potential local vaccine manufacturers who have expressed interest in setting up vaccine-making facilities in the country.
While DOST Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara refused to identify the companies, she provided descriptions of the pharmaceutical firms. One is a local distributor of a South Korean firm; second has “extensive” facilities in Asia; third is considering starting a local vaccine manufacturing business; fourth has connections with a German vaccine developer; fifth is partners with a Chinese vaccine producer; sixth is still looking for a possible partner.
Guevara said two of these companies have been “aggressive” in planning. She said, “If they pursue what we think are their plans based on what they have told us, they may be able to produce vaccines by late 2022.”
