South Korea-based GC Biopharma has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Eubiologics (also based in South Korea) for a co-production of Euvichol, an oral cholera vaccine.

Under the MoU, both parties have agreed to cooperate for a successful supply of the vaccine. While Eubiologics, a developer and producer of Euvichol, takes charge of the bulk vaccine production, GC Biopharma will be in charge of the packaging process including vial bottling.

The two companies will produce the vaccine together from the first half of 2024 in order to supply to United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), which has requested for an additional supply of the vaccine on top of the normal supply of a plastic-tubed Euvichol-Plus to cope with a recent spread of cholera infection in many regions including Africa.

Euvichol is an oral vaccine jointly developed by Eubiologics and International Vaccine Institute (IVI) for the prevention of cholera, a disease that is prevalent mainly in the developing countries. The vaccine has obtained WHO Prequalification in 2015, and since starting to supply to UNICEF in 2016, the total cumulative supply of the vaccine as of 2022 has exceeded 100 million doses. Eubiologics in currently supplying 100% of cholera vaccines administered by UNICEF.