GHANA — The International Vaccine Institute (IVI), EuBiologics, and DEK Vaccines Limited (DEK) have solidified their collaboration by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at amplifying the production of EuBiologics’ oral cholera vaccine (OCV) in Ghana.
This partnership was formally established at Ghana’s National Vaccine Institute, with esteemed dignitaries, including Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta, and Hon. Kobian Tahir Hammond, Ghana’s Ministers of Health, Finance, and Trade and Industry, in attendance.
IVI, a non-profit international organization that came into being in 1997 under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme, is dedicated to advancing research, development, and global distribution of safe, efficacious, and affordable vaccines.
The organization boasts a diverse portfolio, encompassing vaccines at various developmental stages, specifically designed to combat infectious diseases that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income nations.
This portfolio includes vaccines targeting diseases such as cholera, typhoid, chikungunya, shigella, salmonella, schistosomiasis, hepatitis E, HPV, COVID-19, and more.
Notably, IVI made history by pioneering the development of the world’s first cost-effective oral cholera vaccine, which earned pre-qualification status from the World Health Organization (WHO).
IVI is also actively contributing to the assessment of a new-generation typhoid conjugate vaccine, seeking WHO prequalification.
To date, IVI has successfully transferred this invaluable technology to six manufacturers, including EuBiologics in the Republic of Korea, which stands as the global leader in OCV production and is poised to become the exclusive supplier to the global health market by the close of this year.
In recent times, the world has witnessed a surge in cholera outbreaks, precipitated by the contamination of drinking water supplies due to droughts and floods triggered by the impacts of global warming.
Consequently, the incidence of cholera cases has surged dramatically, particularly across Africa.
Cholera, a potentially deadly disease transmitted through the consumption of food or water contaminated by the feces of infected individuals, often afflicts disaster-stricken regions or impoverished communities lacking access to adequate water and sanitation services.
With the technology transfer facilitated by DEK Vaccines, EuBiologics envisions alleviating the cholera vaccine shortage by disseminating OCV across the African continent.
In this collaborative endeavor, EuBiologics will supply the raw materials required for the cholera vaccine, while DEK will oversee the finalization process. It is anticipated that the vaccine will become available by the conclusion of 2025 or early 2026.
Significantly, DEK will directly supply OCV to government health agencies in Ghana and neighboring African nations, thereby leaving EuBiologics’ existing supply markets, including its partnership with UNICEF, unaffected.
Furthermore, IVI has pledged its support to both companies throughout the completion and scale-up phases of vaccine production.
IVI will offer expertise and technology transfer training to fortify local vaccine manufacturing capabilities.
Additionally, IVI will provide guidance and assistance in coordinating with regulatory authorities to navigate the requisite licensing procedures.
DEK Vaccines, a specialized vaccine manufacturing entity, was established in 2021 by Kinapharma, a prominent Ghanaian pharmaceutical company, with the primary objective of securing vaccine sovereignty by establishing a vaccine production facility in Ghana.
Dr. Jerome Kim, Director General of IVI, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting its potential to enhance OCV accessibility in Ghana while concurrently strengthening the nation’s manufacturing capabilities.
Dr. Kim underscored the transformative nature of this collaboration, representing a significant step toward achieving vaccine self-reliance, not just in Ghana but across the entire African continent.
Dr. Kyeong-Ho Min, Vice President of EuBiologics, emphasized the pivotal role played by this partnership in addressing the escalating global cholera crisis, which is exacerbated by climate change-induced factors such as droughts and floods.
The collaboration is poised to augment vaccine supply and make substantial contributions to cholera prevention efforts in Africa.
This development also echoes South Africa’s Biovac Institute’s efforts, which, in a similar vein, entered into a licensing and technology transfer agreement with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) to develop and manufacture oral cholera vaccine for African and global markets.
This initiative, supported by the Wellcome Trust and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, endeavors to enhance vaccine production and alleviate vaccine shortages, with technology transfer commencing in early 2024.
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