PUTRAJAYA: The memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM) and the Chinese company, CanSino Biologics Inc, is set to strengthen the ecosystem for human vaccine development and research in line with the nation's aspiration to produce local vaccines by 2030.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang said this research and development collaboration involves talent and expert exchange as well as technology transfer, and is expected to be completed within two years.
"This memorandum of agreement is anticipated to bolster the existing relationship between both countries, particularly between NIBM and CanSino Biologics, through more strategic cooperation focusing on joint research for the development of human vaccine platforms, researcher exchange, technology transfer and biomanufacturing up to the laboratory testing stage,” he said in a statement here on Thursday (July 25).
He said this collaboration aligns with the nation’s goals through the National Vaccine Development Roadmap (PPVN) to produce its own human vaccines by 2030.
Chang said this effort is being spearheaded by the Malaysia Genome and Vaccine Institute (MGVI), the implementing agency under NIBM, the Malaysian Vaccine Project Office (MVPO), and research partners at other research and higher education institutions to ensure the success of the PPVN in advancing Malaysia’s human vaccine manufacturing ecosystem.
CanSino Biologics Inc, established in 2009, is a global biopharma company experienced in producing human vaccines for diseases such as Covid-19, meningococcal disease and Ebola.
The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) said the expertise of CanSino Biologics Inc is invaluable for Malaysia to leverage through joint research with MGVI-NIBM in developing vaccine candidates using the mRNA (Messenger Ribonucleic Acid) platform.
The MOA signing was witnessed by Chang and the Minister-Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, Chen Youliang.- Bernama
