Kanger Gets Biotechnology Board S Greenlight On China Covid 19 Vaccine

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COVID-19 | Kanger International Berhad announced that the National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM) has issued a letter stating it has no objections for the company to communicate with Sinopharm to purchase Covid-19 vaccines for private sector use in Malaysia.
This followed Kanger’s announcement on Sept 29 that the group, which is chaired by former deputy minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed, entered into a three-year collaboration agreement with Sinopharm Group Hunan Changde Medical Co Ltd.
The deal is for the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines and medical equipment in Malaysia developed by China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation (Sinopharm).
"This is a positive step for Kanger in its efforts to commence the distribution of Sinopharm’s Covid-19 vaccines in Malaysia," Kanger said in a letter to Bursa Malaysia today.
NIBM, an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia (Mosti) is the national centre for industry-based research and development in genomics, agriculture and nutraceuticals.
NIBM is effectively a consortium of three national biotechnology institutes – Malaysian Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals, Agro-Biotechnology Institute Malaysia, and Malaysia Genome Institute.
"The letter from Mosti, via NIBM will strengthen Kanger’s negotiations to purchase Sinopharm’s Covid-19 vaccines for private sector use," it added.
Sinopharm, a Chinese state-owned enterprise, is the largest and oldest biotech company in China.
"Sinopharm has developed two Covid-19 vaccines which have already entered Phase 3 trials, the final stage before being approved for general use, in more than 10 countries.
"So far, nearly a million people worldwide have received Sinopharm’s Covid-19 vaccines for emergency use," Kanger said.
The investment holding company added that Sinopharm’s Covid-19 vaccines can be transported and stored at normal fridge temperatures of 2°C to 8°C.


To facilitate the safe storage, handling and distribution of the vaccines, Kanger aims to work together with Zuellig Pharma Sdn Bhd, the largest vaccine distributor in Malaysia and Asia.
"As one of the licence holders authorised by the government to handle the distribution of vaccines, Zuellig Pharma has extensive capabilities to (store in) warehouse and distribute vaccines in temperature-controlled environments,"  Kanger said.
The company said that this agreement would not have any effect on the issued and paid-up share capital and the substantial shareholders’ shareholdings of Kanger, as it does not involve any issuance of new shares in Kanger.
"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, any distribution agreements that arise from this venture are expected to contribute positively to the earnings and earning per share of the group in the future."
Kanger also issued a reminder that the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines is subject to and conditional upon approvals from the Health Ministry, National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency and other relevant authorities and/or third parties, if required.
"Kanger does not expect any material risk other than the normal business and industry risks, such as regulatory approvals of local authorities, logistics handling of the vaccines and competitors," it said.
The group added that while it may not have the prior experience to undertake the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, it will hire an experienced team to mitigate any risks that may arise. - Mkini

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