AstraZeneca from Britain is partnering with the Serum Institute of India and two globally health organizations supported by Bill Gates to supply 2 billion doses of its potential coronavirus vaccine this and following year.
The company, which has already agreed to supply the US and British governments with 400 million doses, said on 4th June that it will supply one billion doses in low and middle-income countries with Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest volume vaccine manufacturer.
As one of the leading candidates in coronavirus vaccines, AstraZeneca’s collaboration with Oxford University gained worldwide recognition and last month saved over $1 trillion of US government funding to improve vaccine testing and production efficiency.
The management said they also signed a $750 million agreement with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the GAVI Vaccine Alliance, both founded by Microsoft-founder Gates and his wife Melinda, to produce 300 million doses of the vaccine.
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India, quoted by IANS as saying that he was delighted to partner with AstraZeneca in bringing this vaccine to India as well as to low-and middle-income countries.
On the 4th of June, GAVI stated that it raised $567 million of international donors planned for $2 billion in advanced commitment market efforts, including $100 million from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to purchase future vaccines to poverty-stricken countries for COVID-19.
