China Meheco Group Co., Ltd (SHA: 600056) announced that its subsidiary Genertec Meheco has entered into a partnership with UK-based pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca (AZ, NASDAQ: AZN) to handle the import and distribution of Evusheld (tixagevimab, cilgavimab) in mainland China. Evusheld is a COVID-19 prophylactic neutralizing antibody combination designed to provide passive immunity against the virus. The agreement will take effect once the drug is approved for conditional use or via emergency use authorization in China. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Evusheld’s Global Regulatory Milestones
Evusheld has already secured significant regulatory approvals globally. The combination therapy received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in the US in late 2021 and went on to earn conditional market approvals in the European Union (EU) and the UK in early 2022. In China, Evusheld was conditionally approved in Hong Kong in May 2022 and entered the Bo’Ao Lecheng Medical Tourism Pilot Zone one month later through a special import review process for pre-exposure prophylaxis against COVID-19.
Local Manufacturing and Strategic Alliances
In August 2022, China-based Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) WuXi Biologics (HKG: 2269) entered into an agreement with AstraZeneca to support the local manufacturing of Evusheld. This strategic move aims to enhance the availability and accessibility of the drug in China, leveraging WuXi Biologics’ expertise in biopharmaceutical production.
Implications for COVID-19 Prevention in China
The partnership between Genertec Meheco and AstraZeneca highlights the ongoing efforts to expand the availability of COVID-19 prophylactic therapies in China. With the potential for conditional approval or emergency use authorization, Evusheld could play a crucial role in providing additional protection, especially for high-risk populations. The collaboration underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing global health challenges.-Fineline Info & Tech
