Belgium mRNA specialist Quantoom Biosciences and biologics manufacturing specialist Univercells inked a partnership deal with the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) in a move aimed at expanding the development and production of RNA-based vaccines and therapies in Brazil and beyond.
The three parties agreed to build a new commercial manufacturing facility in Brazil that'll incorporate Quantoom's tech and will be exclusively focused on mRNA, they said in a Nov. 29 press release. The plant will integrate local enzyme manufacturing, which is the biggest cost driver of mRNA production, according to the partners.
The agreement bolsters the implementation earlier this year of Quantoom’s Ntensify mRNA production system at Fiocruz, according to the release.
Other key elements of the agreement include the development of a second-generation saRNA (self-amplifying RNA) for vaccines to be used in Latin America “and beyond.”
Additionally, the partners will work on the co-development of RNA-based therapies to target diseases such as cancer. Financial terms related to the collaboration weren’t disclosed.
“This partnership represents another strategic step in expanding access to healthcare and strengthening Brazil’s technological sovereignty, as it enables the production of important inputs for the Unified Health System (SUS), such as vaccines and RNA-based therapies,” Mario Moreira, president of Fiocruz, said in the release.
In 2023, Quantoom hauled in $20 million from the Gates Foundation to boost access to its low-cost mRNA research and manufacturing Infinity platform, which takes a modular approach that addresses common bottlenecks in current mRNA research and manufacturing technologies and is geared to reduce the need for highly skilled specialists.
Univercells has also been the recipient of Gates Foundation money, receiving $12 million in 2016 for its vaccine manufacturing system designed to slash production costs. The company first rolled out its proof-of-concept format in September 2019.
Fiocruz, for its part, is affiliated with Brazil's Ministry of Health and is considered Latin America's most prominent health research organization.