Meet Stephen Saad, CEO Aspen Pharmacare: Behind-the-scenes on J&J Covid-19 vaccine delivery to SA, Africa

It's been a stressful period for the Aspen Pharmacare team as it moved at speed to deliver J&J vaccines for South Africa and the rest of Africa,knowing that every delay 'costs a life', says Stephen Saad, CEO of the only manufacturer in the southern hemisphere. 'People might dream of being the only player in the market but it's very stressful,' with the knowledge that so many lives are at stake. But this is also a watershed moment for the company. Saad spoke to BizNews editor-in-chief Jackie Cameron about what's been going on behind-the-scenes. JSE-listed Aspen Pharmacare has also provided dexamethasone and anaesthetics used in the fight against Covid-19, yet its share price hasn't risen as much as many might expect. Saad speaks about the big risk that J&J wouldn't pass clinical trials and why the company - which doesn't receive any funding from governments - isn't only focused on maximising profit. He shares details about the manufacturing process and why SA will catch up with vaccination roll-out. Aspen is providing 30m jabs of the one-dose shot to SA and expects to produce annual boosters; the SA government is also negotiating to buy vaccines from China, Russia and elsewhere. Aspen Pharmacare is the only producer in the southern hemisphere. #COVID19 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices