The British drugmaker, which earlier this year joined forces with Oxford University to create, manufacture and distribute the medicine developed by the university against the novel virus, recently got another vote of confidence.
At the end of May, the manufacturer agreed with the U.S. Government to receive $1 billion to speed up the process and to provide the first batch of vaccines in October. The country is to receive 300 million doses.
But the U.S. is not the first country that has secures some batches. The U.K. government financed the company with more than 130 million pounds and obtained 30 million out of 100 million doses for September.
Now, AstraZeneca signed new agreements that allow a broader distribution of the vaccine around the globe. To manufacture the drug, the company would receive $750 million, and allocated 300 million doses for global distribution through international foundations. Moreover, one billion doses will go to low-and middle-income countries as part of the agreement with the Serum Institute of India – an essential manufacturer of low-cost vaccines. Four hundred million doses must be provided by the end of the year.
According to Pascal Soriot, CEO of AstraZeneca, the manufacturing process has already begun.
AstraZeneca’s stock price gained more than 0.40% during today's pre-market session.
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Sources: marketwatch.com, bbc.com, reuters.com