Clearbridge unit to purchase Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine for use in Singapore

CATALIST-LISTED Clearbridge Health said on Monday that its subsidiary has entered into a contract to purchase the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine directly from its manufacturer.

In an exchange filing, the company also said that its subsidiary Medic Surgical, which operates the Medic Surgical & Laser Clinic has been granted approval under the Health Sciences Authority's special access route scheme to import and supply the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine in Singapore.

Clearbridge chief executive Jeremy Yee said: "Vaccines are a very crucial tool in our fight against Covid-19, and we are excited to procure Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine for use in Singapore."

Clearbridge said it expects the purchase contract to "contribute positively" to the revenue of the group for its current financial year ended December. However, it added it is unable to quantify its financial impact as the sales uptake of the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine cannot be determined as at the announcement date.

It is also currently exploring opportunities for the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine in other markets, and will make announcements when there are material updates.

The Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine is a form of vaccine categorised as "inactivated vaccines", Clearbridge said, citing a World Health Organisation (WHO) explainer document. Once inactivated viruses are presented to the body's immune system, they stimulate the production of antibodies, which prepares the body to respond to future live Sars-CoV-2 infections.

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Clearbridge also noted that the WHO explainer had also cited a result of a large multi-country phase 3 trial which has shown that two doses administered at an interval of 21 days had the efficacy of 79 per cent against symptomatic Sars-CoV-2 infection 14 days or more after the second dose.

Clearbridge shares closed at 13.3 Singapore cents last Friday, up 0.1 cent or 0.8 per cent.