CMC Biologics in Malaria Vax Pact

CMC Biologics has entered into an agreement with the University of Copenhagen for the process development and cGMP clinical production of VAR2CSA, a vaccine for placental malaria. The project aims to develop a prophylactic vaccine to protect women against malaria during pregnancy. The VAR2CSA molecule, developed by the University of Copenhagen, has the potential to significantly reduce the effects of the parasite.
 
ExpreS²ion Biotechnologies, a partner of Copenhagen University in placental malaria vaccine development, will produce the vaccine antigen using its insect cell-based recombinant protein expression platform, ExpreS². CMC Biologics will employ its technical expertise in process development and cGMP manufacture in developing the vaccine and will provide cGMP grade clinical material for upcoming clinical trials.
 
“Through collaborations like this, we have the opportunity to make a real difference in a disease with major global health implications by helping to take the program into human clinical trials,” said Gustavo Mahler, global chief operations officer of CMC Biologics. “We are supportive of the committed research conducted by the University of Copenhagen and its collaborators, and pleased to be selected for this next phase of clinical development.”
 
“This is the first clinical trial using parasite antigens that causes severe disease syndromes and we believe CMC Biologics’ experience and technical leadership will help us to reach our clinical milestones,” said Professor Thor G. Theander from the Centre for Medical Parasitology at the University of Copenhagen. “We are pleased to be entering into clinical studies to determine potential safety and efficacy of a vaccine which has the potential to help pregnant women and their unborn children.”