Biological E. to make Bavarian Nordic’s Chikungunya vaccine

Biological E. and Bavarian Nordic partner to expand access to Chikungunya vaccine in LMICs, boosting manufacturing and jobs.

Vaccine firms Biological E. and Bavarian Nordic have formed a strategic partnership to expand access to the latter’s Chikungunya vaccine in low and middle income countries.

Initially, they have entered into a contract manufacturing agreement to allow for scaling of capacity towards enabling future supply to endemic LMIC countries. The agreement comprises a technology transfer of the current drug product manufacturing process for the chikungunya vaccine, with an option to transfer the drug substance process at a later stage, Bavarian Nordic said in a release.

It retains its manufacturing capacity for the forthcoming commercialisation of the vaccine in Western markets, Bavarian Nordic said.

Separately, in a release, Biological E. said the initial technology transfer would be followed by regulatory approval applications and commencement of commercial manufacturing thereafter. BE’s existing facilities in Genome Valley, Hyderabad will be augmented to make the Chikungunya vaccine. The manufacturing of the Chikungunya vaccine at BE is expected to generate up to 300 new jobs.

“The scale of our manufacturing and successful track record in providing global access to vaccines is synergistically aligned with Bavarian Nordic via this strategic partnership. We are committed to utilising our advanced and efficient manufacturing technologies to meet health needs in endemic regions...” BE. Managing Director Mahima Datla said.

The agreement comes in the backdrop of Bavarian Nordic exploring opportunities in line with a strategy to provide global access to its Chikungunya vaccine via partners for markets outside the U.S. and Europe. The recent and first approval of the vaccine in the US, as the first Chikungunya Vaccine for persons as young as 12 years, as well as the positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, have demonstrated the viability to expand regulatory approvals beyond these markets.

This is first collaboration to expand global access to the Chikungunya Vaccine and also our first partnership with Biological E, who have solid expertise and comprehensive experience...” President and CEO of Bavarian Nordic Paul Chaplin said.