The day after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced an easing of COVID restrictions to an adjusted Level 3 lockdown, Durban-based pharmaceutical company Aspen stated that it was releasing its first batch of locally-produced COVID vaccines under a licensing deal with the US giant Johnson & Johnson.
The first batch was leaving its manufacturing unit in Gqeberha, to be further distributed throughout South Africa. The company also stated that vaccines from these batches will be made available through the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team/African Union platform.
In a statement, Aspen’s Group Chief Executive Stephen Saad, said, “Aspen is proud of the role we are playing in producing vaccines for distribution in South Africa, across Africa and the world. Our ability to produce these vaccines on behalf of Johnson & Johnson builds on our strategic vision of delivering high quality, affordable medicines that improve health outcomes for patients in our own country, continent and around the world. Supply for Africa and South Africa is particularly rewarding, given the current global inequality in accessing vaccines. This represents a big step forward in ensuring that Africa can address its healthcare priorities. The manufacture of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine builds on the global contributions we have already made in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic with both our anaesthetics portfolio and dexamethasone supply.”
Aspen has invested over R3 billion at the Gqeberha sterile manufacturing site, which contains high-technology, state-of-the-art pharmaceutical equipment and systems that will be used to manufacture advanced sterile medicines, including vaccines.
BioNTech and Pfizer last week signed a deal with South African manufacturer Biovac to help produce vaccine doses in Cape Town through what is known as a ‘fill and finish’ process. Once completed, this is expected to produce 100 million doses per year. President Cyril Ramaphosa has been vocal about global inequality in vaccine procurement, and has been pushing for an African source of vaccines to help the continent fend for itself.
With new cases falling in Gauteng, South Africa’s lockdown was lowered to an adjusted Level 3 on Sunday, with the sale of alcohol once again permitted during the week and at bars and restaurants.
Source: Aspen Holdings
