CanSino Biologics (HK: 6185) of Tianjin and Canada's Precision NanoSystems announced a partnership to develop a mRNA lipid nanoparticle (mRNA-LNP) vaccine against COVID-19. PNI will use its technology to discover the vaccine while CanSino will be responsible for development and commercialization. CanSino will have rights to the vaccine in Asia (except Japan). The agreement includes undisclosed payments and royalties. The molecule will be the second vaccine CanSino is developing for COVID-19. Its adenovirus vector COVID-19 vaccine has already started China Phase II trials.

The mRNA vaccine will be developed using PNI's proprietary RNA vaccine platform, including its lipid nanoparticle delivery system and NanoAssemblr® manufacturing technology

CanSinoBio's co-founder, chairman and CEO Dr. Xuefeng Yu, said, "Our team has been dedicated to developing safe and effective vaccines to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Since RNA vaccines are a disruptive technology as they do not require cell culture, utilize synthetic delivery and have a smaller manufacturing footprint, our partnership with PNI to advance a mRNA-LNP vaccine candidate will not only help accelerate the process, but will also potentially revolutionize the vaccine industry."

PNI specializes in nanomedicines. With over 400 NanoAssemblr® systems placed, the company supports its customers' drug development and manufacturing efforts in the areas of oncology, infectious diseases, and rare diseases. It has also developed a library of lipid formulations for nucleic acid delivery.

Dr. Andrew Geall, CSO at PNI, said, "PNI has developed lipid formulations that are specifically designed for vaccine applications and we look forward to working with CanSinoBIO to bring the vaccine to patients."

Dr. James Taylor, co-founder and CEO of PNI, added, "We are very excited to partner with CanSinoBIO, an innovative biopharmaceutical company leading the way for COVID-19 vaccine development. We strongly believe PNI's NxGen microfluidic technology and our expertise will enable the rapid development and manufacturing of an effective mRNA-LNP vaccine for COVID-19, and provides the foundation for future pandemic preparedness.

Incorporated in 2009, CanSinoBIO has developed four integrated platform technologies for vaccines including adenovirus-based vectors, conjugation, protein design and recombination and formulation. Its pipeline consists of 16 vaccines for 13 diseases, including a globally innovative Ebola virus vaccine approved for marketing in 2017 as well as the investigational COVID-15 vaccine.

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Disclosure: none.