RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – After closing a deal in June for the purchase of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to produce 50 million doses, a new agreement signed this week will enable the manufacture of an additional 20 million vaccines.
The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) projects the production of 70 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses by the end of the year.
This goal is made possible thanks to the commitments between the Brazilian institution and the British laboratory. The information was disclosed by Fiocruz on Thursday, July 1.
The announcement was made during a meeting between AstraZeneca and the Ministry of Health, with the participation of Fiocruz. Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga, AstraZeneca’s CEO Pascal Soriot, and Fiocruz president Nísia Trindade were present.
“We know how difficult it has been to secure additional raw materials, given the international scenario of vaccine and supply shortages. The API purchase for the production of another 70 million doses is the result of institutional efforts and commitments, as well as AstraZeneca’s partnership with the foundation since the very beginning,” said Nísia.
Source: Exame