(Photo by MARIO TAMA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, who leads the Task Group on Vaccine Evaluation and Selection (TG-VES), said the number of potential vaccine manufacturers in the country is now eight after two local firms expressed interest to go into manufacturing of vaccines in the country.
“Yes, two more,” she told the Manila Bulletin when asked to confirm if the number of potential local vaccine manufacturers has increased.
In an online media forum on April 15, Guevara announced that at least two local pharmaceutical companies could possibly produce their own COVID-19 vaccines by “end of 2022” under a fill-and-finish vaccine manufacturing arrangements.
PH receives 3 new Covid-19 clinical trial applications radyonatin.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from radyonatin.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By JULIA MARI ORNEDO, GMA News
Published May 25, 2021 2:06pm Three more COVID-19 vaccine developers have applied for Phase 3 clinical trials in the Philippines, a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) official said Tuesday. DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said the Task Group on Vaccine Evaluation and Selection received applications from the West China Hospital and Sichuan University, Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products Co., and Eubiologics Co. Ltd. “Evaluation of the first two new applications are ongoing, while Eubiologics Co. Ltd are still completing some requirements,” she said at a health department forum. Guevara did not disclose the vaccine platform and target subjects of the three manufacturers, saying their applications are still undergoing review.
(Photo by Orlando Sierra / AFP / FILE PHOTO)
DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevarra said the solidarity trials will be funded by the Philippine government through the DOST and the Department of Health (DOH).
“Ini-expect natin na mag-umpisa yung sa WHO solidarity vaccine trials mga by June (We expect the WHO solidarity vaccine trials to begin by June),” Guevarra said in a public briefing.
For the clinical trials, Guevarra explained that volunteers from areas with high rates of infections will be recruited. They will then undergo protocols approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the country’s Ethics Review Board.
“Ang gusto nilang malaman ay yung safety at saka yung efficacy nitong ating mga iba’t-ibang brands ng bakuna (What they want to know is the safety and also the efficacy of various brands of vaccines),” she said.