Beijing Health Guard Biotechnology Inc. (thereafter. The Company) and Liaoning Chengda Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (thereafter, “Chengda Bio”) recently entered into a collaboration agreement on the development and commercialization of a 15-valent HPV vaccine (targeting HPV 6/11/16/18/31/33/35/39/45/51/52/56/58/59/68), which will arguably be the best-in-class solution for the prevention of HPV infection.

Clinical data indicates that HPV infection may lead to serious diseases such as cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, oropharyngeal and head and neck cancers, as well as condyloma acuminata. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has identified 13 high-risk HPV genotypes that are associated with human cancers, namely HPV types 16/18/31/ 33/35/39/45/51/52/56/58/59/68. Among the commercially available HPV vaccines, the nonavalent HPV vaccine is the one that affords the broadest protection against cervical cancer (~90%) and other diseases caused by HPV. However, six additional high-risk HPV genotypes, i.e. HPV 35/39/51/56/59/68, are not targeted by the nonavalent HPV vaccine. As technology evolves and demand for better vaccine increases, the development of a 15-valent HPV vaccine with broader protection will be a leading trend.

Chengda Bio is a veteran vaccine manufacturer listed on the NEEQ (National Equities Exchange and Quotations), which exports vaccine products to 32 countries that includes India and Thailand. Chengda Bio is not only a top-tier rabies vaccine (Vero cell) brand in China, but also the largest rabies vaccine supplier in the world. Chengda Bio plans to go public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in addition to being listed on the NEEQ, and has already submitted its IPO application to the Hong Kong Exchange.

According to the collaboration agreement, Chengda Bio will bear a portion of R&D costs of the 15-valent HPV vaccine and pay royalties on sales of the 15-valent HPV vaccine to the Company, in exchange for rights granted by the Company to develop and commercialize the 15-valent HPV vaccine.

This partnership leverages the companies’ respective strengths in product development, R&D resources, technologies, and marketing, creating synergy for both parties. It also attests that the Company’s HPV vaccine technology has been recognized by industry peers. Moreover, the partnership lays a solid foundation for the further development of the Company by planning for future commercial production and marketing of HPV vaccines in advance.