MILAN, March 3 (Reuters) - Some Italian companies have given
their availability to produce COVID-19 vaccines and the
production could take off in 4-6 months after regulators'
authorisation, the industry ministry said on Wednesday.
Many companies would be ready to make bulk drug substance -
the active ingredients of the vaccines - "because they already
have, or will soon have, the necessary bioreactors and
fermentation equipment", the statement said.
It added that the government is willing to set up a research
center in Italy for COVID-19 drugs and vaccines, financed by
both public and private investments.
(Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte, writing by Maria Pia Quaglia,
editing by Giulia Segreti)