SHAH ALAM, Oct 27 — Pharmaniaga Berhad (Pharmaniaga) and Serum Institute of India Private Limited (SERUM) will collaborate to make available an affordable Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) in Malaysia.
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Pharmaniaga in a statement today said the vaccine is intended for the use of infants and toddlers aged between six weeks to two years old as a prevention from the invasive disease caused by the bacterium Streptococcus Pneumoniae (pneumococcus) or pneumococcal disease with outcomes that are serious and potentially fatal.
The statement said the collaboration was marked with the recent signing of the memorandum of understanding between Pharmaniaga’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Pharmaniaga LifeScience Sdn Bhd (PLS) with SERUM.
“The sealed partnership will enable PLS to purchase the PCV and subsequently manufacture using the technology and knowhow licensed by SERUM for filling and finishing in the form of Pre-Filled Syringes (PFS).
“This is a major step towards improving the vaccine’s affordability and accessibility in the country. This World Health Organization pre-qualified vaccine will allow for more children to be protected from debilitating diseases such as Meningitis, Sepsis, Pneumonia and Otitis Media as well as to provide us with options in the fight to ensure no child dies from these preventable and treatable diseases,” said the statement.
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Meanwhile, Pharmaniaga Managing Director, Datuk Zulkarnain Md Eusope in the same statement said while Pneumococcal disease is one of the widespread and devastating but preventable diseases in Malaysia, he believed vaccinations are an important part of public health and through vaccination, some diseases can be effectively prevented and more lives saved.
“I am very happy with the collaboration between Pharmaniaga and SERUM, a true example of a perfect synergy between both companies which are highly reputable with internationally certified facilities that are able to successfully develop and carry out this project.
“Both companies believe that access to a pneumococcal vaccine with adequate coverage of prevalent strains in the country is a priority and are committed to making the vaccine affordable to the public,” he said.
Zulkarnain added, in their commitment towards becoming the leading global halal pharmaceutical provider, Pharmaniaga is committed to locally manufacture its own vaccines, which will be halal and certified by Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia. – BERNAMA