The National Development Co. (NDC), the government’s investment arm, said the country’s first vaccine manufacturing facility will also produce vaccines against animal diseases, including the dreaded African swine fever..
Saturnino Mejia, NDC assistant general manager, told reporters the P7.5-billion facility of Glovax Lifescience Corp. initially reported to produce pentavalent, hepatitis and polio vaccines will also produce animal vaccines
Mejia said Glovax is also negotiating for funding to bankroll the project from the International Finance Corp., Asian Development Bank, Impact Investment Exchange of Singapore.
According to Mejia, the project also generated interest from San Miguel Corp., complementing its hog and poultry business. Glovax is a partnership among local firm Glovax Biotech and Korean pharmaceutical company and NDC which has a 2.5 to 3 percent interest in the company
According to Mejia, the project will generate savings for the country which currently imports all of its vaccines. – Irma Isip
