FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USM AND FINLAY LEAD THE WAY IN HALAL VACCINE DEVELOPMENT
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and the Finlay Institute of Cuba created history by signing the Agreement for the collaboration and joint production of the halal tetravalent meningococcal ACW135Y vaccine. This is the first-of-its-kind partnership between the Higher Education Insitutions (“HEI”) of the two countries, where USM and Finlay will jointly develop and commercialise the halal tetravalent meningococcal ACW135Y vaccine. The signing took place at the Embassy of Malaysia in Havana. The Agreement was signed by USM’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak and the President of Vacunas Finlay S.A. Mr Francisco Dominguez Alvarez. This historical moment was witnessed by His Excellency Dr Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart, the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Cuban State Councils, and the Malaysian Ambassador to Cuba His Excellency Mr Yean Yoke Heng.
Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. It is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children 2 through 18 years old. Although the world incidence of meningococcal disease is not high (about 0.5 – 5/100,000), the mortality rate is high, of which 10-15% of those infected die, even with antibiotics treatment. Therefore, preventing the disease through use of meningococcal vaccine is important for the population at high risk. It affects mainly population in the developing world and overcrowding conditions such as during Haj or Umrah in Mecca.
USM’s vision of developing a sustainable economy for the bottom billions will be realized through the commercialization and delivery of the halal tetravalent meningococcal vaccine to the affected developing countries. The commercialization will be managed by Sanggar SAINS Sdn. Bhd., a wholly owned subsidiary of USM. USM, as the joint-producer of the halal vaccine, will further position Malaysia as a world leader in halal certification for pharmaceuticals. Professor Tan Sri Dzulkifli said “USM has, in fact, been collaborating with Finlay for the last 8 years. We have projects in tuberculosis research that has resulted in positive exchange and training of key personnels and students. The collaboration has resulted in new strategies for the development of tuberculosis vaccine, which is cited in the STOP TB website, which lists USM amongst the world’s contributors of project pipeline in TB vaccine. This is the first time USM and Finlay has concluded a definitive Agreement towards the joint-production of a vaccine that addresses the bottom billions, which is in line with USM’s vision of becoming a world renowned sustainability–led university.”
The Finlay Institute in Cuba is renowned for producing the world’s first meningococcal B vaccine, and is reputable globally as a vaccine developer and producer of a suite of vaccines. As expressed by Mr Francisco Dominguez, “This is an ongoing collaboration between USM and Finlay. We have had very fruitful partnerships in a number of research collaboration and exchange of expertise, such as tuberculosis vaccine development and diagnostics for infectious diseases, as both Institutions share the same vision in delivering solutions to the developing world. This current Agreement in providing vaccine for meningitis, which is critical not only for the developing countries but also the Muslim world, will further strengthen the relationship between USM and Finlay”.
MOHAMAD ABDULLAH
Timbalan Pendaftar
Pejabat Perhubungan Awam
Tel: 019-4563006
