Shadow Minister for North Wales, Mark Isherwood MS, has welcomed today’s news that a Wrexham factory is to be part of the effort to accelerate Covid vaccine manufacturing in the UK.
The UK Government has partnered with Pharmaceutical company Wockhardt to help in the production of Covid-19 vaccines.
The work will take place at Wockhardt subsidiary CP Pharmaceuticals, in Wrexham, which has the capacity to finish millions of coronavirus vaccine doses.
Welcoming the announcement, Mr Isherwood said:
“It is absolutely fantastic news that the UK Government has entered into an 18-month agreement with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Wockhardt to carry out the crucial ‘fill and finish’ stage of the manufacturing process in Wrexham.
“The agreement will help ensure people in the UK can receive a safe and effective vaccine as quickly as possible once one becomes available.
“Wockhardt is a global pharmaceutical and biotech organisation that brings affordable, high quality medicines to market. It is one of the largest suppliers into the NHS for over 20 years in the UK and has had a presence in Wrexham for over two decades, employing over 400 people at the North Wales manufacturing facility.
“As the Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart has said, this agreement demonstrates the importance of Welsh manufacturers in the UK’s fight against coronavirus, highlighting once again the strengths of working together across the UK to combat the pandemic.”
Founder Chairman of Wockhardt Dr Habil Khorakiwala said:
“The pandemic of COVID-19 is a challenge for all and needs a concerted effort to overcome. We are proud to be collaborating with the UK government to make vaccines available and the arrangement brings in a huge sense of purpose and pride, it upholds our ongoing commitment to fight against such a pandemic of global human importance. As a global organisation, we are focused and committed to assist in mitigating the worldwide impact of COVID-19.”
The fill and finish line is expected to start in September 2020.