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Re:Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant by sho_hn on Wednesday December 08, 2021 @10:22AM (#29485806)
They also have a licensee (and early R&D investor) in China, Fosun Pharma. I don't know if Fosun is actively manufacturing and distributing, but I think they have the exclusive rights for the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau.
Re:Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant by throwaway2037 on Wednesday December 08, 2021 @11:12AM (#29486499)
Doses of BioNTech vaccine distributed by gov'ts in Hongkong and Macao were manufactored by Fosun Pharma. As vaccination rate has dropped dramatically since the initial rush, I don't know if Fosun Pharma is still manufacturing the BioNTech vaccine. Weirdly, I still don't think any foreign made vaccines are approved in mainland China.

Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fosun_Pharma#COVID-19

I cannot find any references via Google that prove Fosun Pharma has exclusive rights for Taiwan. If anyone has any specifics, please reply. Honestly, I doubt it, as Fosun in a mainland Chinese corporation and China was actively blocking Taiwan out of international COVID efforts efforts vis-a-vis WHO (World Health Org).

Re:Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant by ulfw on Wednesday December 08, 2021 @01:55PM (#29488777)
That is not true. All BioNTech doses used in Hong Kong were manufactured by Baxter in Germany for BioNTech and then distributed in HK by Fosun.

Latest: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202110/16/P2021101600482...

(they keep falsely claiming Baxter to be a city in Germany. It's a company that manufactures for BioNTech, not a city. https://www.baxter.com/)

Re:Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant by throwaway2037 on Thursday December 09, 2021 @12:59PM (#29500705)
I found more: https://www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/faq

<< Quality

60. Where is the Comirnaty vaccine supplied to Hong Kong produced? How to ensure the quality of vaccines supplied to Hong Kong?

According to the information provided by Fosun Pharma, the Comirnaty vaccines for Hong Kong will be produced in Germany. Click here to read the package insert.

The vaccine manufacturer must comply with the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, or equivalent. The imported vaccine also has a Certificate of Analysis to prove that it meets the specifications. >>

Re:Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant by throwaway2037 on Thursday December 09, 2021 @12:36PM (#29500387)
Outstanding. Thank you to correct me! It is so weird that a mainland Chinese company is "arranging" delivery of a vaccine from Baxter (a German company) to Hongkong that is not approved by mainland China. Simply bizarre.
Re:Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant by sho_hn on Wednesday December 08, 2021 @11:15AM (#29486549)
> "Fosun Pharma has been licensed by BioNTech to exclusively develop and commercialize COVID-19 vaccines based on its mRNA technology platform in Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan region."

https://investors.biontech.de/news-releases/news-release-det... (2020)

Re:Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant by throwaway2037 on Wednesday December 08, 2021 @11:32AM (#29486825)
Searching the CDC in Taiwan, I was unable to find any press releases announcing they bought vaccines from Fosun Pharma. Everything I could find said they only received BioNTech vaccines when they were donated. Please correct me if wrong. I assume "Taiwan region" is simply something to satisfy the PRC gov't (CCP) which believes Taiwan is a part of its country and governed by PRC.

TW CDC PR: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/List/7tUXjTBf6paRvrhEl-mr...

Re:Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant by JasonCannon on Wednesday December 08, 2021 @02:56PM (#29489618)
>I assume "Taiwan region" is simply something to satisfy the PRC gov't (CCP) which believes Taiwan is a part of its country and governed by PRC.

To be fair, Taiwan (Officially the Republic of China) also claims that it is a part of China and is in fact the rightful rulers of China. The Kuomintang withdrew to Taiwan after losing control of mainland China to Mao and the Communists. I'm not super up to date on the latest claims between China and Taiwan, but Taiwan has never recognized officially that they do not rightfully control China.

Re:Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant by cbhl on Wednesday December 08, 2021 @01:45PM (#29488671)
My understanding is that folks locally didn't trust the Fosun-made batches, but Taiwan couldn't purchase vaccines from Pfizer due to Fosun holding the distribution rights

Hence the donations

Re:Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant by throwaway2037 on Thursday December 09, 2021 @12:33PM (#29500334)
I tried to Google about this issue, but I couldn't find anything. Can you suggest a link or a Google search? I would appreciate to read more about this issue.
Re:Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant by ulfw on Wednesday December 08, 2021 @01:55PM (#29488784)
There are no Fosun-made batches.
Re:Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant by sho_hn on Wednesday December 08, 2021 @11:51AM (#29487094)
Just like you I don't take statements like this at face value due to the complexities involved. :-)