Covaxx, is currently conducting phase 1 clinical trial for the vaccine candidate
Covaxx will supply the bulk product to Aurobindo. (Credit: Arek Socha from Pixabay)
Aurobindo Pharma has entered into an exclusive agreement with Covaxx, a subsidiary of United Biomedical, for the development, manufacturing and commercialisation of UB-612 for India and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Developed by Covaxx, UB-612 is claimed to be the first multitope peptide-based vaccine to combat Covid-19. Presently, the company is conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial for the vaccine candidate.
The financial details on the agreement reached by the two companies are not disclosed. The partnership involves the clinical development and manufacture of UB-612.
Aurobindo Pharma has secured exclusive rights to market the vaccine candidate in India and to UNICEF and non-exclusive rights in other select emerging and developing markets.
As part of the agreement, Covaxx will supply the bulk product to Aurobindo, which will manufacture the finished doses at its facilities in Hyderabad, India.
Initially, it will produce 220 million doses in multi-dose presentation. The Indian pharma-manufacturer is also building additional facilities to increase its capacity to nearly 480 million doses by next June.
COVAXX co-founder and CEO Mei Mei Hu said: “COVAXX is committed to providing an equitable distribution of UB-612 vaccine by prioritizing markets where the unmet need is greatest. During this global health crisis response, we must establish partners with the strongest capabilities, like Aurobindo, to expand the manufacturing and delivery of our vaccine.
“As one of the leading industry players with a strong track record of execution and investment in vaccines, Aurobindo Pharma is the ideal partner to advance UB-612 in India and other emerging nations and to support our mission of democratizing health worldwide.”
The agreement follows the recently announced purchase commitments of Covaxx for more than 140 million doses of UB-612 vaccine, totaling over $2.8bn. The vaccine doses are expected to be delivered across several countries.
The Phase 1 clinical trial of UB-612 is presently taking place in Taiwan and Phase 2/3 clinical trials are expected to start in Asia, Latin America and in the US.
Aurobindo Pharma managing director Govindarajan said: “We are proud to join hands with COVAXX for developing the first-ever peptide-based vaccine to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This vaccine has immense potential in eliminating shedding and hence containing the spread of the pandemic.”