Drugmaker Cipla and vaccine maker Serum have entered into an agreement for the third time, and this one is for South Africa.

 

The company said that its South African subsidiary Cipla Medpro had entered into an agreement with Serum to make affordable vaccines for the local market there, and facilitate a reliable supply for the South African Government.

 

Cipla and Serum have earlier partnered on vaccines in Europe and later on the flu vaccine in India.

Paul Miller, Cipla Medpro’s chief executive (South Africa) said in a statement that the agreement will enable Cipla Medpro to become a significant player in the market. “With a presence in 140 countries and 1.3 billion doses manufactured and sold, SII (Serum) is an ideal ally for Cipla Medpro and this partnership will be instrumental in addressing the national vaccine shortage,” he said.

Serum manufactures vaccines for Polio, Diphtheria, Tetanus, BCG (Tuberculosis), Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella and South Africa will be participating in the majority of these portfolios.

The agreement stipulates that Cipla Medpro will become the holder of all Medical Control Council (MCC) regulatory approvals such as product registrations and marketing authorisations. Cipla Medpro has exclusivity and first right of refusal of the Serum pipeline within South Africa, the statement said.

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