During Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Shrigla’s visit to Dhaka, both sides discussed the possibilities of collaboration in Covid-19 vaccine development

Bangladesh’s leading drug maker firm has announced its decision to invest in the Serum Institute of India (SII) to ensure Bangladesh receives Covid-19 vaccines on a priority basis. The announcement came a week after Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla visited Dhaka, as per a report by The Daily Star.

During Shrigla’s visit to Dhaka, both sides discussed the possibilities of collaboration in Covid-19 vaccine development.

The report quoted Beximco Pharmaceuticals’ statement that it will make a financial contribution to advance the development of the vaccine, which will be adjusted based on the vaccine price under the terms of the planned arrangement.

"Beximco will be the exclusive supplier of the vaccine in Bangladesh and will facilitate the needs of the government of Bangladesh by offering the opportunity for it to reserve the desired quantities for priority supply at prices to be agreed between the government and SII," the report quoted the company’s statement.

A joint statement from SII Chief Executive Officer Adar C Poonawalla and principal of Beximco Pharmaceuticals Shayan F Rahman said that they were excited to bring together two of the leading pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh and India with the scale and capabilities to bring a hugely promising treatment to the people who need it the most, according to the report.

SII has partnered with AstraZeneca of the UK, the Gates Foundation, and Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation (GAVI) to produce more than a billion doses of vaccine for global supply.