ROVI signs a letter of intentions for the production of vaccines for seasonal and pandemic influenza

30-Mar-2010 - Spain

Laboratorios Farmacéuticos Rovi (ROVI) announced that the company has signed a letter of intentions with Novartis vaccines, with the aim of exploring a definitive agreement for the transfer of the patented technology of Novartis Vaccines needed for the production of vaccines against seasonal and pandemic influenza.

Novartis Vaccines produces vaccines for seasonal and pandemic flu using two of the most advanced technologies that are currently available for the production of vaccines for influenza: 1) traditional technology based on incubation in eggs and 2) technology based on cell culture. Both technologies are allowed to be used with the patented adjuvant technology. The technology to be transferred to ROVI would be selected after a deep analysis of reliability and costs in order to achieve the main aims of minimizing the risk of the project and complying with the established schedule.

According to the letter of intentions, ROVI and Novartis Vaccines would establish a joint venture that would market influenza vaccines in Spain. The details of the commercial agreement between ROVI and Novartis Vaccines will be stated once the definitive contracts are closed. This strategic alliance with Novartis Vaccines for the manufacturing and the marketing of influenza vaccines in Spain could result in a long term collaboration.

The Regional Ministries of Innovation, Science and Enterprise, and Health of the Government of Andalusia and ROVI will construct the centre for the research and production of vaccines in the Health Sciences Technology Park of Granada. According to the protocol of intentions signed on the 10th June 2009 with the Ministry of Health and Social Policy and the Regional Ministries of Innovation, Science and Enterprise, and Health of the Government of Andalusia, the investment needed for the construction and start of operations of this plant is estimated at between 60 and 90 million euros. Assuming that a definitive agreement is reached with Novartis, the plant would have annual manufacturing capacity of 10 million doses of seasonal flu vaccines, and 30 million doses of vaccines for pandemic flu.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/115590/rovi-signs-a-letter-of-intentions-for-the-production-of-vaccines-for-seasonal-and-pandemic-influenza.html