Chinese Biotech Firm Sinovac Confirms Commitment to Chile
Sinovac, the Chinese pharmaceutical giant known for its crucial role in the global COVID-19 vaccination effort, has reaffirmed its commitment to Chile while outlining aspiring plans for future growth in the South American nation.
weining Meng, Vice President of Sinovac, expressed the company’s positive outlook on its Chilean operations, highlighting the strong collaboration with the Chilean government during the pandemic and the triumphant rollout of sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine, Coronavac, in the country. “Our vaccine arrived in chile in January 2022, and the use of this vaccine shows us the trust of the country and citizens in Sinovac.”
Plant Construction Contingent on Influenza Vaccine Tender
Despite abandoning plans for an Innovation and Growth Center in Antofagasta due to logistical concerns, Sinovac remains committed to building a vaccine production plant in Quilicura. Though, Meng clarified that this project is contingent on winning a tender for long-term influenza vaccine production.
“We are very grateful for our development in Chile. In addition to the Coronavac vaccine, we have also collaborated with universities and have been in continuous collaboration with the Chilean government to promote local production.”
Overcoming Challenges, Exploring Opportunities
Meng acknowledged that product registration has presented the biggest hurdle for Sinovac in Chile. While three new products have been successfully registered, four others remain in the process. He emphasized the importance of expediting this process, stating, ”If this process could be accelerated further, it would be very positive because in reality, of the products that we are registering today, there are some that are needed in Chile.”
Addressing concerns about security and crime in Chile, Meng expressed that while thes issues exist, they are being weighed against the country’s attractive investment climate. ” Chile, compared to other Latin American countries, has solid legislation, is committed to a free market economy and has significant human talent. Chile continues to be a country worth investing in.”
Expanding Horizons: Sinovac’s Future in Chile
Sinovac is actively focusing on two key areas: registering its products for use in the Chilean market and commercializing vaccines through both the private market and government tenders. They are also working closely with the Chilean Ministries of Economy and Health to secure a long-term tender for influenza vaccines.
With their established presence in Chile and ambitious vision for the future, Sinovac continues to
play a significant role in the country’s healthcare landscape.
Sinovac Eyes Long-Term Investment in Chile
Chinese vaccine manufacturer Sinovac is setting its sights on a long-term investment in Chile, with plans for a production plant and potential expansion into other Latin American markets.
Having established a presence in Chile four years ago, Sinovac is focused on developing and distributing vaccines, actively registering new products in the country. Their influenza vaccine is already available on the private market, and they supplied 100 million doses to the public sector earlier this year. They also participate in annual influenza vaccine tenders and are preparing for a long-term tender expected to be published in early 2025.
“We are currently working closely with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Economy regarding the long-term tender for the production of influenza vaccines,” Vice President Weining Meng explained.
Sinovac anticipates a significant investment in Chile contingent on winning this tender. “If we are awarded this tender, we will build a production plant in Chile, with an estimated investment between US$60 million and US$100 million, depending on the demand established in the tender,” Meng stated.
Interview with Weining Meng, vice President of the Chinese Sinovac Laboratory.
Future Expansion and Regulatory Challenges
Sinovac sees this investment as a springboard for future growth, with plans to expand the plant’s production to include a wider range of vaccines for export to other Latin American countries.
“This project will represent a great challenge, not onyl in terms of production, but also in recognition and approval by regulatory agencies in the region,” Meng acknowledged.
Despite the challenges,Sinovac remains optimistic about its future in Chile. Meng characterized their experience interacting with Chilean authorities as “very active,” noting prompt interaction and access to high-level officials when needed.
Chinese Pharmaceutical Company Sees Opportunities in chile’s vaccine Market
A prominent Chinese pharmaceutical company sees significant potential in Chile’s vaccine market. Representatives recently highlighted the country’s positive investment environment, especially in the vaccine sector. They pointed to ongoing discussions with the Chilean Institute of Public Health (ISP) regarding long-term tenders for influenza vaccines, demonstrating a commitment to collaborating with Chilean authorities.
Though, the company emphasized the challenge of product registration in Chile, a process they described as slow. They cited their own experience with the chickenpox vaccine, which has been under evaluation for nearly two years. “Our biggest challenge is product registration. This process can be slow, as the evaluation period takes time,” a company representative stated.
The company believes that prioritizing the registration of essential vaccines could benefit both Chilean consumers and the market. “if we were able to enter the market, not only would an environment of greater competition be fostered, but Chile would also obtain crucial benefits,” the representative explained.
They drew a comparison to China’s expedited registration process for urgently needed products, suggesting a similar “fast track” system could be implemented in Chile.
Beyond vaccines, the company expressed confidence in China’s ability to contribute to Chile’s overall development. Highlighting China’s refined industrial system and lead in innovative medicine, they see a strong complementarity between the two countries. “Chile has an advanced commercial system and a free market environment that facilitates the implementation of quality products from China,” the representative noted.
While acknowledging potential implications from global political shifts, the company remains optimistic about the future of Sino-Chilean relations: “Personally, I think it is likely that there will be some influence, but it will not be significant… We maintain a very optimistic vision in this regard. In addition, President Xi Jinping visited several Latin american countries, including Chile, where he maintained excellent communication with the government. The relationship between Chile and China remains solid and positive.”