KARACHI: The Searle Company Limited has concluded an agreement with China’s Livzon Mapharm Inc. for the manufacturing of novel coronavirus vaccine (V-01) in Pakistan.

“The Searle Company has concluded an exclusive licensing and supply agreement with Livzon Mapharm Inc. for the recombinant novel coronavirus vaccine (V-01). The licensing agreement also covers the manufacturing transition of (V-01) in Pakistan,” a bourse filing said on Thursday.

The Recombinant Novel COVID-19 Vaccine (V-01) developed by Livzon has shown promising results in phase I & II clinical trials.

The Phase Ill clinical study will include multiple countries and enroll more than 20,000 subjects, with the aim to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of V-01 program.

“Searle is confident that in existing pandemic, the relevant authorities will take up the matter on urgent basis and support for fast-track approval to carry out phase III clinical trials in Pakistan,” the company said in a statement.

Livzon Pharmaceutical Group was founded in 1985, dual listed in Hong Kong Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange. In FY2020, Livzon Group recorded operating income of around $1.6 billion, and net profit of $315 million.

The group has subsidiary companies focused on R&D of small molecules, large molecules, special formulations, diagnostics and genomic sequencing for innovation-driven drug discovery and development to meet the unmet medical needs of patient communities. https://en.livzon.com.cn/