By Tasneem Bulbulia and Simone Liedtke

Pharmaceutical company Aspen’s wholly-owned South African subsidiary, Aspen SA Operations, has signed a nonbinding term sheet with Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, two of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, that will form the basis for the negotiation of a definitive agreement on the manufacture and sale of an Aspen-branded Covid-19 vaccine throughout Africa.

The agreement will expand the existing technical transfer and manufacturing agreements between the parties to grant Aspen South Africa the rights to manufacture finished SARS-CoV-2 Covid-19 vaccine product from drug substance supplied by Johnson & Johnson; and to sell the finished form vaccine under Aspen branding to public sector markets in Africa through transactions with designated multilateral organisations and with national governments of member States of the African Union.

In addition, Johnson & Johnson is expected to grant Aspen an intellectual property licence for this purpose.

Aspen plans to launch this vaccine under the brand name Aspenovax.

The term of the grant of rights and supply of drug substance, subject to the signing of the definitive agreement, would be until December 31, 2026.

In a webinar on November 30 to discuss this deal, Aspen Pharma Group Strategic Trade group senior executive Stavros Nicolaou said this was “ground breaking” for African manufacturing and a milestone in the fight against Covid-19.  

Johnson & Johnson Global Public Health Programs & Policy Global Strategy VP Dr Adrian Thomas added that the agreement would aid in addressing vaccine inequity in Africa and provide quality vaccine for Africa from a company based on the continent.

He highlighted that it comes at a pivotal time, when vaccination rates in the continent are much lower than in some developed countries.

He reiterated the company’s support for an African vaccine manufacturer, as well as its support for Aspen.

Thomas said it was pleasing to have reached an advanced stage of discussion, and is hopeful that once finalised, it would quickly allow Aspen to produce the vaccine with a drug substance from J&J as a first step – “an importance milestone for manufacturing in Africa”.

However, he emphasised that more had to be done, and called on the global community to prioritise a clear plan to scale up investment across Africa, especially in vaccine manufacture that includes local skillsets; with J&J committed to supporting this.

World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa regional director Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the that WHO was pleased to have played a role in facilitating this agreement, by providing a platform for collaboration and discussions.

Other speakers reiterated this as an important milestone for the continent, and noted that the deal will make a significant contribution to vaccine manufacture in Africa, and is an important step towards a reality in which the continent manufactures quality Covid-19 and other vaccine products itself, without relying on others.

It was also noted production of the vaccine under licence by Aspen now provides security of supply for Africa, as well as flexibly for the continent. 

Aspen Group CE Dr Stephen Saad indicated that this agreement showcases that world class facilities exist in Africa; and dispels myths that Africa cannot be a manufacturing hub.

He said the agreement provided speed of access for IP.

He also thanked all the stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring that the continent could not be ignored and would get a seat at the table.