KUALA LUMPUR: Ho Wah Genting Bhd's (HWGB) wholly-owned subsidiary HWGB Biotech Sdn Bhd (HWGB Biotech) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China-based Xinkexian (Beijing) Biotechnology Co Ltd (XBL) as a non-exclusive manufacturer to produce vaccines derived from poliomyelitis virus vaccines (PVV) to treat Covid-19.
The appointment of XBL, which will be non-exclusive, is dependent on the successful completion of the clinical trials of PVV that E-Mo Biology Inc (EBI) will be undertaking to evaluate the effectiveness in preventing Covid-19 infections.
HWGB chief executive officer Datuk Aaron Lim said the company is taking the first step in signing this MoU due to the spread of Covid-19 and the impact it has on the economy and society.
"The MoU allows us to discuss more with a potential partner on the manufacturing of the polio vaccines should the clinical trials to be undertaken by EBI proves successful," he said in a statement today.
He said this also a good strategic move as XBL has the production facilities to manufacture poliomyelitis vaccines, including different strains, formulation and dosage for oral poliovirus vaccines.
"This will definitely quicken the process of distribution in Southeast Asia where Covid-19 infections have not abated," he said.
HWGB Biotech had entered into a MoU on 6 August 2020, which was then superseded by a joint venture agreement on 14 August 2020.
HWGB Biotech and EBI will collaborate and undertake phase IV clinical trials by using PVV to treat severe acute respiratory syndrome, Covid-19 and other relevant diseases.
XBL is involved in research and development of preventive vaccines for human use, as well as the manufacturing, marketing and sales of preventive vaccines.
HWGB Biotech is a distributor of biotechnology products, bioinformatics diagnostic tools, medical engineering equipment along with software developments and tools.
It also patents all original products and by-products, technologies and software developed or sourced by HWGB.