South African biopharmaceutical manufacturer Biovac has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Korea-based vaccine manufacturer EuBiologics to facilitate the technology transfer of a meningococcal meningitis pentavalent vaccine.
This collaborative effort is driven by the need to combat the prevalence of meningococcal disease in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the “meningitis belt” that stretches from Senegal to Ethiopia.
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Addressing Meningococcal Meningitis
Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial form of meningitis that poses a significant health threat, leading to inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The disease can be fatal, and survivors often experience long-term health issues, including hearing loss, neurological damage, or limb loss.
Biovac identified a substantial unmet medical need for meningococcal meningitis vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa, where new circulating serotypes of the bacterium Neisseria meningitis, responsible for meningococcal disease, have emerged. Serotypes represent distinct variations within a species of bacteria or virus.
African Nations Battling Meningitis
With African nations still facing meningitis as a pressing health concern, this vaccination partnership is key in eradicating the health challenge. According to recent statistics, countries like Nigeria, Niger, and Burkina Faso have reported high incidence rates of the disease.
Nigeria, in particular, grapples with recurrent meningitis outbreaks, with thousands of cases reported annually. In Niger, where the disease is endemic, the risk persists throughout the year. Burkina Faso, too, faces a significant meningitis burden, often experiencing outbreaks during the dry season.
Partnership for Vaccine Development
The MOU between Biovac and EuBiologics aims to facilitate the transfer of expertise, skills, and knowledge required for the production of the meningitis vaccine. This collaborative effort is seen as a significant boost to the local vaccine manufacturing sector in South Africa, contributing to skills and technology development within the industry.
Biovac CEO Morena Makhoana highlighted the importance of this partnership in aligning with the African Union’s goal of producing 60% of vaccines used on the continent by 2040. He emphasised the need for partnerships to build a self-sufficient vaccine manufacturing industry in Africa.
Makhoana also stressed the economic benefits of the collaboration, as it would enable South Africa to produce the pentavalent vaccine, a combination of five individual vaccines, for the local and continental market. This shift from importing vaccines to exporting them could help close the trade deficit.
Liquid Vaccine for Ease of Use
One notable feature of the vaccine under development is its liquid form, which eliminates the need for reconstitution. Many vaccines are delivered as freeze-dried substances that require mixing with a liquid before administration. Biovac’s liquid vaccine simplifies the vaccination process and reduces the risk of needle-stick accidents, particularly benefiting healthcare professionals.
Makhoana expressed excitement about partnering with EuBiologics, emphasising their shared commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of people in Africa. Meningococcal meningitis can affect individuals of all ages, with the highest rates observed in children under one year old and adolescents.
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Hope for Improved Global Public Health
EuBiologics CEO Baik Yeong-ok expressed optimism about the collaboration’s potential impact on global public health. He regarded the MOU as the beginning of a fruitful partnership between the two companies, with the potential to enhance capacity-building for an African manufacturer and ultimately improve lives in Africa, where the disease burden is most pronounced.
As of now, the meningococcal meningitis pentavalent vaccine is undergoing clinical trials, and Biovac has not yet commenced production. This partnership signifies a significant step toward addressing a critical healthcare challenge in sub-Saharan Africa and fostering self-sufficiency in vaccine manufacturing on the continent.