TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Paraguay has signed a contract to buy 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from the American company Vaxxinity, Inc., a partner of Taiwan’s United Biomedical Inc., the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Tuesday (June 22).

As soon as the company obtains emergency use authorization (EUA) from Taiwan’s government for its UB-162 vaccine, Paraguay, Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in South America, will be able to acquire and use the shots, CNA reported.

MOFA said that right from the start, it has been encouraging Taiwanese businesses to cooperate with the country’s allies. The ministry welcomed the agreement between Paraguay’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the United Biomedical Group, adding that it would continue to provide assistance on cooperative ventures.

The contract was signed on June 16, and the vaccines are expected to be delivered later this summer, according to Vaxxinity. The company said it is completing phase two clinical trials for UB-162 in Taiwan before it launches efficacy trials in India.

Earlier reports said another Taiwanese vaccine producer, Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corporation (MVC), had signed an agreement to conduct clinical trials for its COVID-19 vaccine in Paraguay.