Biological E partners Providence to make 1-bn MRNA shots

Hyderabad-based Biological E has tied up with Canada’s Providence Therapeutics to manufacture its MRNA technology-based Covid-19 vaccine and do clinical trials in India.

The deal assumes significance as this gives India access to the MRNA technology. The vaccine — named PTX-COVID19-B — is currently under development in Canada. Providence announced data from the phase 1 trials in May and will soon begin the phase 2 trials.

“The MRNA platform has emerged as the front runner in delivering the first vaccines for emergency use to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.”

“Biological E is very pleased to be able to work with Providence on its promising MRNA vaccine candidate. We hope to provide India and other countries yet another option to ramp up their efforts towards achieving herd immunity against Covid,” said Mahima Datla, managing director of Biological E Ltd.

While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, Providence will sell up to 30 million doses to Biological E.

It would also provide the necessary technology transfer to make the vaccine in India, with a minimum production capacity of 600 million doses in 2022 and target capacity of 1 billion doses.

“Biological E will be responsible for all clinical development and regulatory activities for the vaccine in India and other jurisdictions licensed by Biological E,” the company said in a statement.