“The approval of this new product could not have come at a more important time given the acute upsurge of cholera outbreaks we are seeing worldwide. We commend EuBiologics for their role in ensuring countries around the world have access to cholera vaccine as part of their response toolkit.”Dr Derrick Sim, Managing Director of Vaccine Markets and Health Security at Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance.
On April 18, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF issued a statement extending their gratitude to EuBiologics, a South Korean vaccine manufacturer, for its contribution. The acknowledgment came after the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified EuBiologics’ new oral cholera vaccine (OCV), ‘Euvichol-S.’ The vaccine aims to simplify production compared to its predecessor, ‘Euvichol-Plus.’
UNICEF welcomed the approval, anticipating a significant increase in the global supply of OCV for 2024. With an estimated 50 million doses expected this year, compared to 38 million in 2023, the impact is substantial. UNICEF stressed the importance of Euvichol-S’s streamlined formulation, which reduces vaccine components while maintaining effectiveness against key cholera strains. This advancement allows for quicker and larger-scale production.
EuBiologics stands as the sole producer of cholera vaccines globally, following the withdrawal of major pharmaceutical companies due to profitability concerns. Dr. Julia Lynch, director of the cholera vaccine program at the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), praised EuBiologics’ perseverance, dubbing them the “unsung hero” for persisting amid industry challenges.
The acknowledgment of EuBiologics’ cholera vaccine comes at a critical time. Despite a surge in cholera cases worldwide, vaccine availability remains insufficient. According to WHO’s January report, global cholera cases rose by 41% compared to the previous year, exceeding 667,000 cases. WHO attributed these outbreaks to climate change-induced natural disasters and escalating conflicts.
Cholera, an infectious disease characterized by diarrhea and vomiting following the consumption of contaminated water or food, can lead to severe dehydration and hypovolemic shock. However, major pharmaceutical companies have largely ignored cholera outbreaks due to limited profitability. Given that cholera predominantly affects developing nations, governments struggle to afford vaccine expenses. International organizations mitigate this challenge by procuring vaccines in bulk, resulting in reduced unit prices. Following the discontinuation of production by India’s Shantha Biotechnics in 2022, EuBiologics emerged as the sole producer and supplier of cholera vaccines worldwide.
Established in 2010, EuBiologics has focused on cholera vaccine development, targeting specific markets. After a technology transfer agreement with IVI and WHO certification in 2015, the company began cholera vaccine production in 2016. With Shantha Biotechnics exiting the market in 2022, EuBiologics increased production, aided by a $4.2 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Serving as the exclusive cholera vaccine supplier, the company saw a 25% revenue increase to 69.4 billion won last year, marking its first profitability in four years.
