Singapore: China based manufacturer and supplier of refrigeration and cold chain equipments, AUCMA, has partnered with Global Good, a collaboration between Intellectual Ventures and Bill Gates, to commercialize vaccine storage invention for use in developing countries.

Under the agreement, AUCMA will manufacture and distribute the device to help strengthen vaccine supply chain in developing regions.

World Health Organization estimates that more than 1 million children die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases. This is due in part because many regions lack the electricity and infrastructure needed to store temperature-sensitive vaccines. Global Good's vaccine storage device overcomes this by using a combination of super-insulation techniques to hold vaccines at the appropriate temperature for more than a month with no external power.

"Forward-looking commercial partners like AUCMA play a vital role in Global Good's mission to improve life in developing countries through the power of invention," said Mr. Maurizio Vecchione, vice president of Global Good at Intellectual Ventures. "AUCMA has the expertise and scalability needed to help this device extend the vaccine supply chain in even the remotest parts of the world, and do so at the lowest cost-per-fully-immunized-child possible. Thanks to them, Global Good's vaccine storage device will make a tangible impact on the lives of people in developing countries."

"Global Good is a natural partner for AUCMA. Their revolutionary vaccine storage device fits perfectly with our expertise in medical cold chain equipment and their emphasis on catalyzing markets for social good aligns with AUCMA's own belief in social responsibility," said Mr. Li Wei, AUCMA chairman.

In addition to commercialization of the vaccine storage device, Global Good and AUCMA will explore new inventions to improve the vaccine supply chain. Global Good draws on the expertise of NGOs, governments and commercial partners like AUCMA throughout the invention and product development process. This ensures that Global Good invents technology that not only addresses unique challenges in developing countries, but also has the commercial viability needed to catalyze markets for sustainable impact.

The vaccine storage device will undergo additional field testing in Africa before broader manufacturing and distribution in 2014. With only a single batch of ice, it can store up to 300 doses of vaccines, enough to serve a community of 6,000 for more than a month. The device is also equipped with technology to monitor its location, internal temperature and the number of times vaccines have been retrieved from it. This information can be communicated via daily SMS transmissions and downloaded via a USB port to inform future vaccination campaign planning.