KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 — Duopharma (M) Sendirian Bhd (DMSB), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Duopharma Biotech Berhad will procure and supply 6.4 million doses of Russian developed Covid-19 vaccine, “Sputnik V” in Malaysia.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, Duopharma Biotech said DMSB has signed a Term Sheet Agreement with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to secure the dosages developed by Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.
“RDIF is the appointed marketing agent for Gamaleya for all international markets, and supplies of Sputnik V could be from any of RDIF’s partners, subject to approval by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA),” it said.
It said DMSB has also entered into a Term Sheet Agreement with the Ministry of Health Malaysia to supply all 6.4 million doses to vaccinate 3.2 million Malaysians in phases over a period within 2021.
“The supply is also subject to the Sputnik V vaccine being approved by Drug Control Authority of Malaysia through technical evaluation by NPRA,” it added.
Moving forward, Duopharma Biotech group managing director, Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar said the company has an existing inert human vaccine fill and finish line at its plant in Klang that is ready to be used.
“We are also positioning to upgrade our facility to ensure the equipment accommodates localisation of vaccine manufacturing in Malaysia, which consequently can increase vaccine accessibility, reduce dependency on importation, and ensure long-term self-sufficiency of vaccines in Malaysia,” he said.
Duopharma Biotech, RDIF and Gamaleya Institute are also exploring further collaboration to enhance Duopharma Biotech’s capabilities in research and development, technology transfer, local manufacturing, and vaccine supply in Malaysia and other Asean countries.
Sputnik V is the world’s first registered vaccine based on a well-studied human adenoviral vector-based platform that enables boosting of immune response and provide long lasting immunity with 92 per cent effectiveness.
— Bernama
