The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved Siam Bioscience Company Limited, a Thai company, as a qualified production site for AstraZeneca vaccine and added the company to its Emergency Use Listing (EUL).

A letter, dated October 11th, from Dr. Rogério Gaspar, director of the WHO’s Regulation and Prequalification Department, addressed to Dr. Etleva Kadilli, director of the Supply Division of UNICEF, reads as follows:

“We are pleased to inform you of the positive recommendation of an alternative manufacturing site,  Siam Bioscience Co., Ltd. , 99 Moo 4, Banmai, Bangyai, Nonthaburi 11140, Thailand, for the AstraZeneca (COPVID-19 vaccine suspension for injection.

This site includes the manufacturing of drug substance and drug product.

This recommendation is based on the data reviewed by the WHO and the positive opinion issued by the Australia Therapeutic GoodsAdministration (TGA), which is the regulatory authority of record for this vaccine.

Therefore, Siam Bioscience Co., Ltd. is added to the list of alternative manufacturing sites forAstraZeneca AB, as part of the EUL, granted to the company.”

Wholly owned by a subsidiary of the Crown Property Bureau, Siam Bioscience was established in 2009 to preserve and continue what the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej started in support of the Thai people’s health and wellbeing.

Its main products are biopharmaceuticals, to reduce Thailand’s dependence on imported active ingredients and medicines, strengthening public health and facilitating sustainable health care.

In November 2020, Siam Bioscience, Siam Cement Group, AstraZeneca and Public Health Ministry signed a letter of intent to commit to making COVID-19 vaccine available in Southeast Asia. A production agreement was subsequently signed between AstraZeneca and Siam Bioscience.

Millions of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, produced by Siam Bioscience, have already been delivered to the Ministry of Public Health.