HO WAH Genting Berhad’s wholly-owned subsidiary, HWGB Biotech Sdn Bhd, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China-based firm Xinkexian (Beijing) Biotechnology Co, Ltd (XKX) to explore its appointment as a non-exclusive manufacturer to produce vaccines in relation to Covid-19 virus.
However, the appointment of XKX is dependent on the successful completion of clinical trials that E-Mo Biology Inc (EBI) will be undertaking to evaluate the effectiveness of polio vaccines in preventing Covid-19 infections.
On Aug 6 this year, HWGB Biotech had entered into a MoU with EBI and a joint-venture agreement on Aug 14, to collaborate whereby EBI shall undertake phase IV clinical trials for a new indication which proposes the use of existing poliomyelitis virus vaccines for prevention of covid-19 as well as research and development (R&D), testing, registration, commercialisation and other activities for the purposes of treating infectious disease, immunological treatment and diagnostic product development.
XKX is principally involved in research and development of preventive vaccines for human use, as well as the manufacturing, marketing and sales of preventive vaccines. It will be able to manufacture the poliomyelitis vaccines including different strains and formulation and dosage form systems of oral poliovirus (OPV), Oral Poliovirus (liquid) (OPVL) and Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV), and the new indication which proposes the use of existing Polio Vaccines for prevention of Covid-19 virus at its manufacturing facilities.
Meanwhile, HWGB Biotech is a distributor of biotechnology products, bioinformatics diagnostic tools, medical engineering equipment along with software developments and tools. It also patents all original products and by-products, technologies and software developed or sourced by HWGB.
Commenting on the cooperation, HWGB chief executive officer, Aaron Lim said: “We signed this MoU as we feel that time is of the essence due to the spread of Covid-19 and its impact on the economy and society. It allows us to discuss more with a potential partner on the manufacturing of the polio vaccines should the clinical trials to be undertaken by EBI proves successful.
“As XKX has the production facilities to manufacture the poliomyelitis vaccines, this will definitely quicken the process of distribution in Southeast Asia,” he added. – Sept 10, 2020
