KUALA LUMPUR– Aug 6th , Ho Wah Genting Bhd, via subsidiary HWGB Biotech Sdn Bhd, has partnered with US-based E-MO Biology Inc (EBI) to undertake phase four clinical trials of poliomyelitis virus vaccine for Covid-19.
The collaboration will see HWGB investing US$1 million into EBI, entitling it 40 per cent of the profit from the commercialised vaccine.
HWGB chief executive officer Datuk Lim Ooi Hong said it believed the eventual collaboration would enable a Covid-19 vaccine to be made available to market as soon as possible and as affordable as can be for the public.
HWGB will have exclusive rights for the production, distribution and sale of the repurposed vaccine based on the polio vaccine for use in preventing Covid-19 infections in Southeast Asia countries.
EBI had on June 15 submitted the Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the US’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct phase four clinical trials for a new indication using existing poliomyelitis virus vaccines for prevention of Covid-19.
The project is currently under the research and development, testing, registration, manufacturing and commercialisation of the five provisional patent applications.
The project was also subjected to the pre-approval or exemption from the FDA for the IND application.
Additionally, HWGB will have the right to retain all profits from the vaccines, as well as a royalty-free licence together with the granting of sub licences for the use of the trademark and other intellectual property rights in relation to the vaccines in Southeast Asian countries.
The sole director and shareholder of EBI, Professor Qiyi Xie said the collaboration would allow it to penetrate the Southeast Asian countries as soon as the vaccines can be made available to the market.
