AstraZeneca works to make Oxford vaccine available ASAP
AstraZeneca (AZ) is advancing its response to address the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, collaborating with numerous countries and organizations to make the University of Oxford’s vaccine widely accessible around the world in an equitable manner.
AZ has concluded the first agreements for at least 400 million doses and has secured total manufacturing capacity for one billion doses so far and will begin first deliveries in September 2020. AZ aims to conclude further agreements supported by several supply chains, which will expand capacity further over the next months to ensure the delivery of a globally accessible vaccine.
AZ recently received support of more than $1 billion from the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for the development, production, and delivery of the vaccine starting in the fall. The development program includes a Phase III clinical trial with 30,000 participants and a pediatric trial.
In addition, AZ is engaging the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi the Vaccine Alliance and the World Health Organization (WHO), for the fair allocation and distribution of the vaccine around the world. AZ is also in discussions with governments around the world to increase access.
AstraZeneca recently joined forces with the UK Government to support Oxford University’s vaccine and has progressed rapidly in its efforts to expand access around the world. AZwill supply the UK starting in September and is thankful for the Government’s commitment and overall work on vaccines.
“This pandemic is a global tragedy and it is a challenge for all of humanity. We need to defeat the virus together or it will continue to inflict huge personal suffering and leave long-lasting economic and social scars in every country around the world,” said Pascal Soriot, chief executive officer of AstraZeneca. “We are so proud to be collaborating with Oxford University to turn their ground-breaking work into a medicine that can be produced on a global scale. We would like to thank the US and UK governments for their substantial support to accelerate the development and production of the vaccine. We will do everything in our power to make this vaccine quickly and widely available.”
SOURCE: AstraZeneca, World Pharma News
