/ world today news/ Several Swedish companies want to produce the Russian vaccine against the Sputnik V coronavirus, and the Swedish authorities and business representatives believe that this is a very promising direction, writes Svenska Dagbladet. As the newspaper notes, although the subject is generally shrouded in the darkness of trade secrecy, Swedish authorities report “serious negotiations” with the vaccine’s creators about the production of the preparation.
„As for the fight with coronavirus first Sweden comes to mind as a chilling example of how not to must is being done.” This is how Danish political scientist Rune Stubager answered Svenska Dagbladet’s question last week about why Denmark is seeking vaccine cooperation with Israel and Austria rather than its northern neighbor.
During the coronavirus pandemic, the Swedish strategy has often grabbed the headlines around the world – and rarely received positive reviews. The new study, which aims to investigate the conditions of vaccine production, may change the situation.
The government agency Vinnova, which promotes innovative solutions in Sweden, and the state research institute Rise are working on a report commissioned by the authorities. As part of their work, these organizations are exploring everything from potential interactions in vaccine production to assessing existing capacity. According to one of the heads of the department at Vinova, Lars Hammarström, several participants are currently showing interest in the production of the vaccine.
„Of course, there are problems in the sense that the production capacity is not yet adapted, but we, without a doubt, have the potential to produce a vaccineand at a certain level. This does not necessarily mean building a large vaccine manufacturing plant; we can talk about attempts to build the the basis of the existing potential and capacity of the entities already available “, he said.
The Swedish company Recipharm is already producing the Moderna vaccine. However, this drug is synthesized in Germany and France – although the company claims to have rebuilt a complex in Sweden for this purpose. At the same time, Recipharm believes that Sweden can make more significant efforts to support companies even amid the pandemic.
According to Björn Udlander, founder of the venture capital fund HealthCap, the EU has invested significantly in the plants of Pfizer / Biontech and Astra Zeneca.
„Every crisis too creates and opportunities. There were – and still are – opportunities to create an industry in Sweden for the production of advanced medical devices, which in the long run will lead to more innovation, attract additional investment, create jobs, tax revenue, and everything that works for the good of the economy “- he emphasized.
According to the newspaper, the government-commissioned report looks very promising. However, against this background, the controversy over the production of vaccines on Swedish territory continues. In particular, the coordinator of the vaccination campaign in Sweden, Richard Bergström, admitted that the Russian vaccine Sputnik V could begin to be produced in the country.
„Serious negotiations are underway between Sputnik and some manufacturers in Sweden on this issue. I can’t say anything more “, he said.
Which Swedish organizations are in dialogue with Russia on this issue is a topic shrouded in mystery. However, according to everyone with whom Svenska Dagbladet was able to communicate, this direction definitely looks promising.
At the same time, the topic of the Russian vaccine is still being discussed very actively. At the beginning of February, the authoritative journal The Lancet put a “seal of quality” on the Russian drug, publishing a corresponding study. According to preliminary results, the vaccine’s efficacy rate was 92% after the second dose.
According to Karolinska Institutet professor Ali Mirazimi, researchers have not yet received “rawthem data“, which would allow a better assessment of the results.
„We need all the vaccines we can get our hands on. The appearance in Europe of factories producing Sputnik V will streamline and speed up the process, as quality control will become easier. It will be easier for inspectors to visit factoriesthem; at the same time, it will speed up both the vaccine approval process and the roll-out of the vaccination campaign Mirazimi said.
According to Richard Bergström, the European Medicines Agency will not be able to approve Sputnik V until May. However, several EU countries have already placed orders for the vaccine, and the Hungarian population has been vaccinated with the Russian drug since mid-February.
Translation: ES
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