Aspen may produce COVID-19 vaccine in SA
There's a possibility of a COVID-19 vaccine being manufactured on our shores.
Aspen Pharmacare and Johnson & Johnson say they plan together to produce one.
In a statement today, Aspen, whose headquarters are in Durban - says it's signed a preliminary agreement with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.
It says the potential vaccine is still being clinically tested.
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Aspen says if successful, it will manufacture it in Port Elizabeth and supply Johnson & Johnson. It says the facility is capable of producing 300 million doses annually.
Their agreement also includes a technology transfer - while they're working around the manufacturing terms.
According to the World Health Organisation - there are currently 45 coronavirus clinical trials taking place globally.
South Africa has registered over 19 000 COVID-19 related deaths, and more than 727 000 cases.
