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Kintor Pharmaceutical’s parent company, Kintor Biotech, has entered into a licensing agreement with AstraZeneca for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Release date:

2020-08-07

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Abstract

On August 6, 2020, Kangtai Biological and AstraZeneca signed an exclusive licensing cooperation framework agreement for the Chinese mainland market, aiming to advance the clinical development, production, and commercialization of AZD1222, the adenoviral vector–based COVID‑19 vaccine co‑developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, in China. As the technology licensee, Kangtai Biological will ensure that by the end of 2020 it achieves an annual production capacity of at least 100 million doses of AZD1222, and by the end of 2021 expand this capacity to a minimum of 200 million doses per year, thereby meeting domestic market demand. Kangtai Biological is one of China’s largest vaccine manufacturers, boasting domestically leading combined vaccine production technologies and ranking among the industry leaders in terms of product variety and patent holdings. With more than 30 years of extensive experience and robust technical expertise in vaccine R&D and industrialization, the company currently markets six approved products and has over 30 pipeline candidates, 12 of which have entered the registration process. It is also the only enterprise in South China capable of both vaccine R&D and large-scale manufacturing. Following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus earlier this year, Kangtai swiftly mobilized resources to accelerate vaccine development and build a dedicated production facility. In May this year, AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford established a global partnership to develop, manufacture, and supply the AZD1222 COVID‑19 vaccine. Recently released interim results from the Phase I/II COV001 clinical trial demonstrated that the vaccine was well tolerated across all evaluated participants and elicited a robust immune response against SARS‑CoV‑2. The Phase II/III clinical trials are currently underway. Commenting on this collaboration, Du Weimin, Chairman of Kangtai Biological, stated: “Kangtai possesses deep experience and strong capabilities in vaccine R&D and industrialization, while the interim data from the AstraZeneca–Oxford COVID‑19 vaccine show a robust immune response. We are delighted to partner with AstraZeneca to rapidly scale up production of this vaccine, providing high‑quality, affordable COVID‑19 vaccines to China. At the same time, Kangtai is concurrently advancing multiple technological platforms, including inactivated COVID‑19 vaccines, working around the clock to contribute to the ultimate defeat of the pandemic in China and worldwide.” Wang Lei, Global Executive Vice President of AstraZeneca and President of International Business and China, added: “The global pandemic remains far from under control, with recurring outbreaks in several countries. By signing this cooperation agreement with Kangtai Biological, a leading domestic vaccine manufacturer, we aim to leverage its formidable technical expertise and production capacity to bolster vaccine supply in China, bringing world‑class vaccines to the Chinese people. The pandemic knows no borders. Upholding the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, AstraZeneca firmly believes that cross‑border collaboration will accelerate every stage of vaccine research, development, and production. I am confident that broad international cooperation—engaging governments, international organizations, non‑profit entities, and businesses—will expedite the development and equitable, widespread distribution of vaccines worldwide.”

As the technology licensee, Kangtai Biological will ensure that by the end of 2020 it achieves an annual production capacity of at least 100 million doses of the AZD1222 COVID‑19 vaccine, and by the end of 2021 will expand the vaccine’s designed capacity to at least 200 million doses per year, thereby meeting the demands of the Chinese market.

Kangtai Biological is one of China’s largest vaccine manufacturers, boasting domestically leading technology for combined‑vaccine production and ranking among the industry’s top in terms of product variety and patent holdings. With more than 30 years of extensive experience and robust technical expertise in vaccine R&D and commercialization, the company currently markets six approved products and has over 30 pipeline candidates, 12 of which have entered the regulatory approval process. Kangtai is also the only enterprise in South China that simultaneously possesses both vaccine R&D capabilities and industrial-scale manufacturing capacity. Following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic earlier this year, the company swiftly mobilized resources to advance vaccine development and construct a dedicated production facility.

In May of this year, AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford established a partnership to develop, manufacture, and supply the COVID‑19 vaccine AZD1222 worldwide. Recently published interim results from the Phase I/II COV001 clinical trial indicate that the vaccine was well tolerated across all participants evaluated and elicited a robust immune response against the SARS‑CoV‑2 virus. Currently, Phase II/III clinical trials of the vaccine are ongoing.

Commenting on this collaboration, Du Weimin, Chairman of Kangtai Biological, stated: “Kangtai Biological boasts extensive experience and strong capabilities in vaccine research and development as well as industrialization. Interim data from the COVID‑19 vaccine jointly developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford have demonstrated a robust immune response against the virus. We are delighted to partner with AstraZeneca to rapidly scale up production of the COVID‑19 vaccine, providing China with a high‑quality, affordable vaccine. At the same time, Kangtai Biological is concurrently advancing multiple technological platforms, including an inactivated COVID‑19 vaccine, working around the clock and sparing no effort to contribute to the global fight against the pandemic.”

Wang Lei, AstraZeneca’s Global Executive Vice President and President of International Business and China, stated: “At present, the global pandemic has yet to show significant signs of abating and continues to resurge in some countries. We have signed a cooperation agreement with CanSino Biologics, a leading domestic vaccine manufacturer, aiming to leverage its robust technological expertise and production capacity to bolster vaccine supply in China, bring world‑class vaccines to the Chinese market, and benefit the Chinese people. The pandemic knows no borders. Upholding the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, AstraZeneca firmly believes that cross‑border collaboration will accelerate every stage of vaccine research, development, and manufacturing. I am confident that broad international cooperation among governments, international organizations, non‑profit entities, and businesses will help expedite the development of vaccines and ensure their equitable and widespread availability worldwide.”

Keywords:

Tender Notice for the Interior Fit-Out Design of the Minhai Biotechnology New‑Type Vaccine International Industrial Base Construction Project

R&D innovation yields fruitful results, ensuring vaccines benefit the people.

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