An Israel vaccine manufacturer has also proposed to establish a vaccine production facility in the country, adding to at least 4 firms that are already in discussion with the government.
Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the Philippines’ Declared National Policy Against COVID-19, revealed at the “Vaccine Summit: Equitable Distribution and Safety” of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and together with the International Chamber of Commerce and the International Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines of the latest interest by a foreign vaccine manufacturer.
Galvez, however, did not identify the Israeli firm but said it proposed to set up an oral vaccine manufacturing facility also in the country.
He further said that the Israeli company is coming May 18 for a clinical trial.
According to Galvez, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is offering two options to the vaccine manufacturer proponents. These are through Public Private Partnership and government to government arrangement.
Aside from the DTI, the Department of Health, Science and Technology (DOST) and Budget and Management (DBM) are also involved in the discussion for immediate action on the establishment of a “fill and finish” vaccine facility in Clark.
He mentioned of ongoing discussions on how to establish the Philippines own vaccine production facility. “The President is telling DBM to release billions for that capability,” he said. Duterte, who will step down in June 2022 from office, would like to leave a vaccine manufacturing as his legacy.
Galvez cited strong interest by other pharmaceutical firms including United Laboratories, and businessman Manny V. Pangilinan, which he said has an agreement with the South Korean firm to produce 40 million doses of vaccines annually. An Indian company, he said, is also interested to set up a vaccine production facility in the country.
Galvez explained that the current procurement of COVID-19 vaccines are the first generation vaccines, but there could be need in the future for second and third generation vaccines to handle mutations and prevent new variants.
Earlier, DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez identified the 6 firms as Greentech, Glovax Biotech, IG Biotech, New Marketlink, Lloyds Laboratories, and Unilab.
In terms of vaccine technology providers, the Board of Investments and DTI said there are at least 5 potential partners– Russia’s Gamaleya, Korea’s Eubiologics, a Chinese (Taiwanese) firm, an Indian firm that Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. is negotiating, and an American university research center