South African Firm Selects J&J's COVID-19 Vaccine

South Africa-based Aspen Pharmacare Limited announced it has entered into a preliminary agreement with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson) for the technical transfer and proposed commercial manufacture of their COVID-19 vaccine candidate, Ad26.COV2-S.

In a press release issued on November 2, 2020, Aspen Pharmacare stated 'it will perform formulation, filling and secondary packaging of the vaccine for supply to Johnson & Johnson. This agreement is still subject to the successful completion of the relevant technology transfer activities and finalization of certain commercial manufacturing terms.'

Aspen Pharmacare has agreed to provide the necessary capacity required for the manufacture of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate at its existing sterile facility in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive said: “We have been selected as a vaccine partner by Johnson & Johnson and this project will receive priority focus. We are particularly pleased to be given the opportunity of providing assistance for patients in need across the world from our South African base.”        

Previously, on September 23, 2020, Johnson & Johnson announced the launch of its large-scale, pivotal, multi-country Phase 3 trial (ENSEMBLE) which will enroll up to 60,000 volunteers across various continents and will study the safety and efficacy of a single vaccine dose versus placebo in preventing COVID-19.