Africa-Press – South-Africa. South African biopharmaceutical manufacturer Biovac has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Korea-based vaccine manufacturer EuBiologics for the technology transfer of a meningococcal meningitis pentavalent vaccine.
EuBiologics will share the expertise, skills and knowledge needed to produce the meningitis vaccine with Biovac.
Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial form of meningitis, an often fatal disease caused by the inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Survivors often have long-term health problems such as hearing loss, neurological damage or loss of limbs.
Biovac said there was a high unmet medical need in the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa, which stretches from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east, where there are new circulating serotypes of the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, which causes meningococcal disease. Serotypes are distinct variations within a species of bacteria or virus.
The company said meningococcal disease was endemic in South Africa, with sporadic cases occurring throughout the year, usually increasing from May to October.
Biovac CEO Morena Makhoana said the partnership was a significant boost to the local vaccine manufacturing sector in South Africa, and to skills and technology development in the industry.
“This is an important step towards achieving the African Union’s goal of producing 60% of the vaccines used on the continent of Africa by 2040. The MOU results from numerous engagements between the two companies and illustrates the partnership needed to build a self-sufficient vaccine manufacturing industry for the continent,” Makhoana said.
He said the partnership would also benefit the country by ensuring that the skills, know-how and technology to produce the pentavalent vaccine – a combination medicine with five individual vaccines combined into one – are transferred to a South African firm, which would produce it for the local and continental market.
“As South Africa usually imports vaccines, exporting would allow for closing the trade deficit,” Makhoana said.
He added that the vaccine would be entirely liquid, allowing for ease of use as it would not require reconstitution.
“Some vaccinations come as a freeze-dried substance that requires mixing with a liquid before administration. This can increase the risk for health professionals regarding needle-stick accidents as more steps are involved,” he said.
Makhoana added:
He said anyone could get meningococcal meningitis, but rates are highest in children younger than one and in adolescence.
EuBiologics CEO Baik Yeong-ok was pleased to sign the MOU with Biovac, saying it was the beginning of a collaboration between the two companies.
“I am hopeful that this will lead to an improvement in global public health, capacity-building of an African manufacturer and, most importantly, the impact on lives in Africa, where the burden of disease is highest,” said Baik.
The vaccine is still undergoing clinical trials and Biovac has not yet begun production.
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