GC Biopharma and EuBiologics signed a business agreement to jointly produce EuBiologic's oral cholera vaccine, Euvichol.

Accordingly, EuBiologics, the developer and supplier of Euvichol, will be in charge of the early stage production process of Euvichol, and GC Biopharma will be in charge of the finished product process consisting of vial filling and packaging.

Both companies will ensure the smooth supply of the product and will jointly begin production of the Euvichol vaccine for UNICEF in the first half of 2024. 

Due to the recent cholera outbreaks in Africa and other parts of the world, UNICEF requested a ramp up in supply in addition to the normal supply of Euvichol-Plus in plastic tubes.

Euvichol is an orally administered vaccine developed by EuBiologics in collaboration with the International Vaccine Institute for the prevention of cholera outbreaks in developing countries. Following WHO prequalification (PQ) approval in 2015, supplies to UNICEF began in 2016, with cumulative shipments exceeding 100 million doses last year. 

EuBiologics currently supplies 100 percent of UNICEF's cholera vaccine doses.

"Cholera outbreaks are on the rise around the world as global warming leads to more frequent droughts and floods, and the current vaccine supply is not keeping up with demand," said EuBiologics Vice President Min Kyeong-ho. "We expect this partnership to help us increase our supply help prevent the spread of cholera."

"Based on our differentiated capabilities, we will do our best to increase the supply of cholera vaccines," said GC Biopharma Head of Global Business Lee Woo-jin. "We will continue to collaborate in various ways to contribute to improving public health around the world."