Recipharm's advanced biologics division ReciBioPharm has been selected by the University of Oxford to manufacture the drug substance and drug product components of two clinical-stage malaria vaccine candidates.
Through the extension of this long-standing partnership, ReciBioPharm will actively progress the manufacture of R78C and RH5.1 for the university's Draper Lab.
The CDMO, who was previously producing both the drug substance and drug product for R78C, is now handling large-scale fill-finish activities to meet increased vial demand for ongoing trials.
Meanwhile, RH5.1, which was previously manufactured by another CDMO, is now being fully produced by ReciBioPharm — including drug substance, drug product and large-scale fill/finish.
This collaboration extension comes at a time when malaria continues to pose a significant health threat globally.
According to the World Health Organization's 2023 Malaria Report, there was around 249 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2022, which resulted in 608,000 deaths.
Despite progress being made in reducing the number of malaria-related deaths, development of a vaccine is essential to eradicate this disease.
“This collaboration with ReciBioPharm has been instrumental in accelerating the development of our malaria vaccine portfolio,” said Simon Draper, Professor of Vaccinology and Translational Medicine at the University of Oxford, and Group Leader of the Draper Lab.
“With numerous malaria vaccine candidates now developed or in active development, this partnership plays a critical role in advancing innovative solutions aimed at reducing the global burden of malaria, and supports our shared mission to eradicate malaria altogether.”
“We’re proud to deepen our collaboration with the University of Oxford on such a critical global health challenge," added Greg Behar, CEO of Recipharm.
"Our ability to deliver drug substance and drug product for larger scales under GMP conditions makes us a strong partner for accelerating vaccine candidates from lab to clinic. Together, we’re advancing science with the potential to save millions of lives,” he concluded.
