Novavax interested to set up vaccine manufacturing plant in Philippines —envoy

US-based company Novavax Inc. is interested in putting up a manufacturing plant in the Philippines to develop vaccines against COVID-19, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said Sunday.

"For one thing itong Novavax, itong US manufacturing company, may agreement sa Serum Institute sa India, pero gusto nila magtayo sa Pilipinas," Romualdez said in an interview with Dobol B TV, citing that some American firms expressed interest in setting up laboratories in Clark Airbase in Pampanga.

(This US-based company, Novavax, already has an agreement with Serum Institute in India but it also wants to set up [a vaccine manufacturing plant] in the Philippines.)

Another American company, Arcturus Therapeutics, is also studying the possibility of opening a vaccine manufacturing plant in the Philippines to expand their reach in the Asian market, Romualdez said.

"Yung Arcturus... San Diego-based ito, they are developing Johnson and Johnson vaccines. Iyon, interesado na talaga. I'm not sure what phase they're in but pinag-aaralan nila kung puwede magtayo sa atin, kasi may Asian market," said Romualdez.

(Acturus, based in San Diego, they are developing Johnson and Johnson vaccines. They are very interested. They are studying to set up [a manufacturing plant] in the Philippines because there is an Asian market.)

Romualdez previously announced that the Philippines and US are eyeing to work together in setting up manufacturing hubs in the country.

Meanwhile, Manuel V. Pangilinan-led infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) disclosed it is interested to venture in the manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines locally.

MPIC chair Pangilinan on Friday told stockholders that the company had a discussion with local vaccine distribution firm Glovax Biotech Corp. regarding the latter’s plan to build a COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing plant in the country.

DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research Development executive director Jaime Montoya in March said at least four local companies have expressed interest in partnering  with foreign pharmaceutical companies to produce COVID-19 vaccines in the country. —KG, GMA News