KUALA LUMPUR, 13 DECEMBER 2022 – Pharmaniaga LifeScience Sdn Bhd (PLS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia’s leading pharmaceutical company, Pharmaniaga Berhad (Pharmaniaga), has entered into a research collaboration agreement with BioNet-Asia Co., Ltd (BioNet) for the development of a 6-in-1 Hexavalent Vaccine. The vaccine will provide Malaysian health care providers with the best possible option to immunize children against six devastating childhood diseases.
The initiative, in alignment to Pharmaniaga’s plan of establishing the world’s first Halal vaccine and insulin plants, will also support Malaysia’s goal of becoming vaccine self-sufficient, by reducing the dependency of importing essential lifesaving vaccines and insulins from outside Malaysia. In addition, the in-country production of vaccines will greatly improve vaccine security against future pandemic threats.
The agreement was signed by Pharmaniaga Group Managing Director Datuk Zulkarnain Md Eusope and BioNet group President, Mr Vitoon Vonghangool; and witnessed by Pharmaniaga Chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Rafique and BioNet Chief Executive Officer, Dr Hong Thai Pham.
Datuk Zulkarnain said, “The RCA is the catalyst to begin the development process of Hexavalent, a 6-in-1 combination vaccine for the children in Malaysia, where Pharmaniaga and BioNet will collaborate to develop the combinational vaccine formulation prototype. The Hexavalent Vaccine is expected to complete Proof-of-Concept (PoC) by the end of 2023.
“After the POC studies are completed, Pharmaniaga will conduct pre-clinical trials (PCT) which will enable extensive clinical trials to demonstrate the protective immune response of the hexavalent vaccine against six diseases, diphtheria (DT), tetanus (TT), pertussis (aP), poliomyelitis (IPV), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and hepatitis B (Hep-B).
“This will be the first Halal compliant combination vaccine to be produced in Malaysia. Once we establish the Hexavalent Vaccine – POC/PCT, we will join hands with large global vaccine organizations and advocates to accelerate our programme and meet the demand for global accessibility of vaccines that are high in quality, safe and efficacious”.
Datuk Zulkarnain said the Hexavalent Vaccine is expected to complete development and be approved by 2026. It will be available for use by Malaysia and other strategic countries worldwide with a projected market value of over RM300 million ( 67M USD).
The Hexavalent Vaccine manufacturer PLS will increase its Halal biopharmaceutical and vaccine lines and manufacturing capacity as well as boost its talent capabilities by providing continuous upskilling opportunities. This enables PLS to meet the rising demand for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products in Malaysia while also preparing to meet the demand of international markets.
Mr Vitoon Vonghangool added: “We are pleased that Pharmaniaga selected BioNet to develop a hexavalent vaccine containing a recombinant pertussis vaccine. Its safety profile and higher immune response have been demonstrated in multiple clinical trials and supported by global vaccine organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The 6-in-1 vaccine will be a breakthrough product to overcome the issues observed with currently marketed acellular pertussis paediatric combined vaccines.”
“BioNet and our 200 collaborators share one passion: Vaccine Innovation. BioNet is leading the development of genetically designed vaccines with a large pipeline of DNA and mRNA vaccines. BioNet has been producing the world’s only licensed pertussis vaccine (Pertagen®) containing a genetically inactivated pertussis toxin (PTgen) which is now licensed in Thailand and Singapore. PTgen will be the key and innovative component of the hexavalent vaccine”.
“For the last 20 years, BioNet has been providing technical support and novel solutions to vaccine manufacturers in product development through technology transfer and manufacturing alliance. BioNet has built local collaborations fostering vaccine self-reliance to enable rapid and global access to vaccines against emerging and re-emerging diseases”.
Pharmaniaga is the pharmaceutical Company of Boustead Holdings Berhad group of companies, and together with Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera, are the major shareholders of the Company.
About Pharmaniaga Berhad (Pharmaniaga)
Pharmaniaga is the pharmaceutical company of Boustead Holdings Berhad Group of Companies, which together with the Armed Forces Fund Board, are the major shareholders of Pharmaniaga. Listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, Pharmaniaga’s core businesses are generic pharmaceuticals manufacturing; research and development; marketing and sales; warehousing and distribution of pharmaceutical and medical products; supply, trading and installation of medical and hospital equipment as well as community pharmacy.
With a vision to be the premier Malaysian pharmaceutical company, Pharmaniaga is guided by its philosophy of ‘Do It Right Always’ and empowered by its motto of Passion for Patients. Strengthened by nine manufacturing plants, nationwide logistics and distribution in Malaysia and Indonesia as well as products registered in 15 countries, Pharmaniaga is positioned to be a regional player in the international pharmaceutical arena.
For more information, please log on to https://pharmaniaga.com/.
About BioNet
BioNet is a biotechnology group that shares its expertise and innovation to ensure rapid access to vaccines. Located in France and Thailand, BioNet creates genetically engineered vaccines and produces Pertagen®, the world’s only recombinant pertussis vaccine containing a genetically inactivated pertussis toxin. BioNet has also established technology platforms to produce DNA and mRNA vaccines with 10 projects in preclinical and clinical studies. BioNet advances global research by collaborating with world-renowned scientists and organizations (including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, PATH, Institut Pasteur, CEPI, and International Vaccine Institute). BioNet has also forged a groundbreaking alliance with several vaccine manufacturers that has resulted in the deployment of 10 billion doses of polio vaccine over the past 20 years. Finally, BioNet has contributed to the development of bio-clusters for vaccine evaluation and production in India, Africa, and Australia.
For more information, please visit us at www.bionet-asia.com and www.bionet.one
