EuBiologics said on Friday that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with South African vaccine manufacturer, Biovac, to supply its meningococcal pentavalent vaccine to the local market and transfer technology to produce finished doses. 

EuBiologics' meningococcal pentavalent conjugate vaccine (EuMCV5) contains X serotypes endemic in the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa. The company expects this technology transfer collaboration with Biovac to play a major role in preventing future meningococcal outbreaks in Africa.

One meningococcal quadrivalent vaccine is being developed for the private market and another meningococcal pentavalent vaccine with the addition of X-serum, which is endemic in Africa, for the African and public markets. Both meningococcal quadrivalent and pentavalent vaccines are expected to become the company's flagship product, upon completion of  clinical development.

However, the specific milestone payments of the Biovac agreement have not been confirmed.

"This meningococcal vaccine candidate is particularly important because it protects against serotype X, which is prevalent in Africa," said Biovac CEO Morena Makhoana. "As Africa needs to become self-sufficient in vaccines, we are pleased to partner with EuBiologics, a company that shares the same values of improving health in Africa.”

"This MOU marks the beginning of a collaboration that we hope will improve global public health, empower African manufacturers, and most importantly, positively impact the lives of people in Africa, where the burden of meningococcal disease is high," said EuBiologics CEO Baik Yeong-ok.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, EuBiologics signed another general frame agreement to supply raw materials for its meningococcal quadrivalent vaccine to a Russian biopharmaceutical company.

Accordingly, it will receive a $10 million milestone from the Russian firm for its meningococcal quadrivalent vaccine. Both companies estimate that there is an annual demand for more than 4 million doses of meningococcal vaccine in Russia and neighboring regions. 

The meningococcal pentavalent vaccine received funding from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and is currently being co-funded by the Right Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.