DOST eyes local vaccine production with global partners

Published June 13, 2020, 10:32 AM

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is looking forward to being able produce vaccines locally together with international partners should its clinical trials turn out to be successful.

This was after the sub-technical working group on vaccine trials spearheaded by the DOST created through the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 39 conducted a consultation meeting on June 9 with 11 local pharmaceutical companies to have possible public-private partnerships on local clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines in the country.

“Gusto namin yung kapartner natin sa clinical trials na taga-ibang bansa ay mag-license ng Philippine manufacturer para gawin dito yung vaccine kung ito ay maging matagumpay after the clinical trials,” DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Pena said during the DOST Report program on the DOSTv Facebook page on Friday.

(What we [DOST] want is that our partner on the clinical trials from the other countries will license a Philippine manufacturer to create the vaccine here if ever the clinical trials become successful.)

The DOST is currently negotiating with possible vaccine candidates for clinical trials in the country through its international bilateral partners.

The Department has also organized a vaccine expert panel from the academe, hospitals, industry, and research institutes to help the sub-TWG in the technical assessment and vetting of possible vaccine prospects offered by bilateral partners for Philippine clinical trials.

SOURCE: https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/06/13/dost-eyes-local-vaccine-production-with-global-partners/