Forty jobs are being created in Wrexham as 海角视频 Government announces an extension of the Covid-19 vaccine contract with Wockhardt.
The global pharmaceutical and biotechnology major today announced that it has been awarded a six-month extension of its agreement with the 海角视频 Government to fill-finish Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines.
This expands the original agreement from 18 to 24 months and will now run until August 2022.
Manufacturing will continue to be undertaken at CP Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Wockhardt based on Wrexham Industrial Park.
Wockhardt has also confirmed further investment in the 400 worker site, leading to more than 40 new jobs.
海角视频 International Trade Secretary Liz Truss, on her visit to Mumbai as part of a drive to improve business links between 海角视频 and India announced the extension, said: “This is a brilliant bit of news for the 海角视频 and people of Wrexham. It brings important investment to the local area, bringing jobs and security to the community as we battle this awful pandemic.
“Wockhardt’s investment shows the strength of our trading ties with India which is a further boost to our already-strong vaccine supply as we build back stronger from coronavirus.”
Mark Isherwood MS, the Shadow Minister for North Wales, said: "This is great news for North Wales, and the investment, jobs and security it will bring to the area will be a ray of hope as we work through this pandemic, showing as it does the benefits of Wales being part of a strong United Kingdom, and how the Union delivers for Wales.
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“It’s a ringing endorsement of the quality of people working at the plant, and the vital nature of the work they’re carrying out, and so I extend my gratitude to them for the great work they’re doing protecting lives from Covid.
"I’m grateful, too, to the 海角视频 Government’s International Trade Secretary as well as Wockhardt for their recognition of and commitment to the employees in Wrexham.”
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “While the 海角视频’s vaccination programme has been a national success story so far, we need to take steps to ensure we can manufacture vaccines into 2022 should we need to revaccinate or provide boosters to the population.
“By extending our contract with Wockhardt, we will ensure the 海角视频 has uninterrupted fill and finish capacity, guaranteeing we have sufficient supplies to protect the British public in the long-term."
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Dr. Habil Khorakiwala, Founder Chairman of Wockhardt Group, added: “We are happy to extend our collaboration with the 海角视频 Government to make vaccines available and the arrangement brings in a huge sense of purpose and pride, it upholds our ongoing global commitment to fight against an unprecedented pandemic.”
Dr. Murtaza Khorakiwala, managing director and Global CEO of Wockhardt, added: “The extension of the arrangement with the 海角视频 Government for manufacturing vaccines for COVID-19 showcases our global strength in world-class sterile injectable facilities and confidence by the 海角视频 Government on our expertise and experience.”
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