China’s Kangtai Biological Partners With Startup to Develop mRNA Vaccines

Kangtai Biological Products said it plans to work with a biotech startup to develop vaccines based on mRNA technology, as reported Yicai Global on Monday.

Kangtai said that its wholly owned unit Minhai Biotechnology has signed a deal with Immorna Hangzhou Biotechnology.

Under the agreement, Immorna will transfer in phases mRNA-related technologies and product design plans to Minhai, and will provide samples for small studies.

Minhai will conduct efficacy and toxicology trials on the vaccines, prepare clinical trial samples, and be responsible for the registration and commercial production of final products, Kangtai said.

Minhai will reportedly be the sole holder of the approval documents for the vaccine products jointly developed in China.

Kangtai developed a COVID-19 vaccine based on inactivated virus technology, which was approved in May by the National Medical Products Administration for emergency use in China.