LemoneX Signs MOU with WHO mRNA Vaccine Technology Transfer Hub

Next-generation drug delivery platform specialist Lemonex (CEO Cheolhee Won) announced on the 9th that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the World Health Organization's mRNA Vaccine Technology Transfer Hub (WHO's mRNA Vaccine Technology Transfer Hub).

Although WHO lifted the international public health emergency of COVID-19 (PHEIC) the day before and the severity of COVID-19 is decreasing worldwide, many people in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) such as Africa and Southeast Asia remain vulnerable to potential diseases. Accordingly, WHO is conducting the 'WHO mRNA Vaccine Technology Transfer Hub' program aiming for vaccine self-sufficiency in LMICs in preparation for a second COVID-19 pandemic.

This MOU centers on Lemonex's independently developed next-generation drug delivery system (DDS) platform, DegradaBALL. The process involves Lemonex producing DegradaBALL and supplying it to the mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub located in Africa, which then uses the self-produced mRNA and DegradaBALL to develop the final vaccine formulation.

The lipid nanoparticle (LNP) drug delivery system used in mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic faced distribution limitations due to the cold chain (-80°C), making supply to LMICs difficult. Moreover, the complex manufacturing process made self-production impossible. In contrast, the DegradaBALL DDS, unlike other DDSs, can be freeze-dried, offering high stability that allows for over two years of storage at room temperature, enabling safe supply even to distant and high-temperature LMICs. It also allows for pre-production, stock storage, and distribution.

The company stated, "This MOU is the result of detailed discussions following Lemonex’s presentation of DegradaBALL and mRNA vaccine candidates at the 'Global Vaccine and Immunology Research Forum (GVIRF)' in early March, introduced by WHO and other international organizations," adding, "DegradaBALL was highly evaluated for its strengths in pre-production, stock storage, and room temperature distribution."

They continued, "The signing of this MOU demonstrates the technological excellence, superiority, and future market supply potential of Lemonex's DegradaBALL DDS," and "We expect Lemonex's DegradaBALL drug delivery technology to become a core technology contributing to global vaccine supply in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.