Not in talks to make vaccine in India: Pfizer | Economic Times

Pfizer said any supplies of its Covid vaccine to India will come from manufacturing sites in the US and Europe and the company currently isn’t in talks with any local entities for technology transfer or production in the country.“At this time, we are not in discussions for any additional local manufacturing for this vaccine. Once the pandemic supply phase is over and we enter a phase of regular supplies, Pfizer will evaluate all additional opportunities available,” a Pfizer spokesperson said in an email. “We continue to centrally manufacture and deploy (from US and European facilities) our vaccine during this pandemic phase.” Various governments, WHO and others have been pushing vaccine makers to transfer technology to companies in Asia and Africa to scale up production and expand access amid a vaccine shortage.Pfizer’s mRNA vaccine launch in India is said to be stuck over an indemnity clause, among other things. The company wants a waiver from future liabilities arising out of vaccine adverse events.82819580The company said development, manufacturing, distribution and storage of complex innovative products, including the mRNA technology that its vaccine is based on, require globally optimised supply chains. Pfizer is stepping up capacity to deliver 2.5 billion doses in 2021, and a part of this plan includes expanding its manufacturing capabilities and increasing supplier base for key materials. “We have a robust supply chain in place with established capabilities — one each in the US and Europe — that can quickly manufacture and deploy the vaccine for use across the world,” the spokesperson added.BioNTech’s AnnouncementPfizer’s statement follows German partner BioNTech’s announcement last month of a joint venture with Hong Kong-based Fosun Pharma to bring the mRNA vaccines to China. Fosunwill make a capital contribution of up to $100 million in cash "and/or intangible or intangible assets (comprising, among others, plants and manufacturing facility)," the companies told the Hong Kong stock exchange. BioNTech agreed to make a capital contribution in intangible assets including, among others, a licence for the relevant manufacturing technology and knowhow at a value of not more than $100 million.Fosun said that it has a manufacturing capacity of up to 1 billion doses.Pune-based Gennova is working on India’s first mRNA vaccine. A few other companies have indicated that they can do ‘fill and finish’ of the mRNA vaccines if needed.