Premier Su Tseng-chang (left) listens attentively as an executive of Adimmune Biotech Corp. explains a coronavirus vaccine under development June 9 in Taichung City, central Taiwan. (Courtesy of Executive Yuan)

Premier Su Tseng-chang said June 9 that the government is leaving no stone unturned in working with the private sector to speed up development of a COVID-19 vaccine, highlighting Taiwan’s commitment to the well-being of people all around the world.
 
Taiwan’s success in containing the spread of coronavirus has been widely recognized internationally, Su said, adding that the accomplishment was made possible by seamless cooperation between the people and government backed by a high degree of mutual trust.

In addition to implementing comprehensive relief measures aimed at helping businesses weather the impact of the pandemic and reviving the local economy, the government is prioritizing efforts to bring the pandemic to an end by ensuring an effective vaccine is available at the earliest possible date, he said.

Su made the remarks while leading a group of senior Cabinet members on tours of Taichung City-based Adimmune Biotech Corp. and Hsinchu County-based Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp. in central and northern Taiwan, respectively. According to the premier, his visit underscores the importance the government places on this matter.

Vice Premier Chen Chi-mai said the government will provide financial incentives and support to the biotechnology companies while promoting collaboration and resource sharing among them.

At the same time, Chen said the government is consulting with companies to revamp Taiwan’s emergency use authorization regulations so as to speed up the approval and production processes. It is hoped that locally developed vaccines can reach mass production by spring 2021, he added. (SFC-E)