Nabilah Safira
TechInAfrica – South Africa-based pharmaceutical firm Aspen has signed an agreement with USA company Johnson & Johnson to produce the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as clinical trials enter end-stage.
Aspen will manufacture the vaccine on its new sterile facility R3bn ($184m) in Port Elizabeth that could support up to 300m doses per year for both domestic and international production.
The agreement outlines Aspen’s role in supplying a completed formulation, filling, and secondary packaging to Johnson & Johnson between the two companies subsidiaries, SA’s Pharmacare and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Janssen Pharmaceutica. Along with package supply s the finalization of commercial manufacturing terms and technology transfer completion activities.
“We have invested globally in our sterile capability and are determined to play a role in the manufacture of vaccines to add to our proud track record of making contributions to humanity in times of global pandemics,” Stephen Saad, Aspen group chief executive said.
“This has included, inter alia, being a leading global supplier for antiretrovirals for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, multi-drug-resistant-TB products and Covid-19-related treatments such as anesthetics and dexamethasone.
“We have been selected as a vaccine partner by Johnson & Johnson and this project will receive priority focus. We are particularly pleased to be given the opportunity of providing assistance for patients in need across the world from our South African base.”
Source: Africanbusinessmagazine.com
