$40-M COVAX Plant to be Built in Bulacan

The COVID-19 vaccines (COVAX) maker Dr. Zen Biotech, Inc. plans to put up a manufacturing plant in First Bulacan Industrial Estate in Malolos City.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez presented the upcoming construction of the COVAX manufacturing facility on Thursday.

Dr. Zen Biotech, Inc. Manufacturing plant will project cost is pegged at $40 million or P1.9 billion — $20 million on the first phase of the construction and $20 million on the second phase.

The manufacturing plant is expected to be operational by 2022 and will produce second generation of COVID-19 vaccines that will use more advanced technology compared to the original vaccines.

Dr. Zen Biotech, Inc.’s current technology providers are India and China.

The company is also reported to be looking for a possible partnership with Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

Lopez also said that the economic zone in Bulacan where the new Dr. Zen’s facility is located is eyed to be the first pharmaceutical economic zone in the country. (ASC)