Belgium and Brazil Unite to Advance RNA-Based Therapies: MoU Signed Between Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, Quantoom Biosciences, and Univercells in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium during the Belgian Economic Mission to Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – November 29, 2024 – During the Belgian Economic Mission to Brazil, a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Brazilian Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) through its Institute of Technology on Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), and the Belgian companies Quantoom Biosciences S.A. and Univercells S.A. in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium. This MoU represents a commitment to advance the development of RNA-based vaccines and therapies, expanding access to innovative health solutions both regionally and globally.

The signing ceremony was officiated by Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium, accompanied by distinguished members of the Belgian Economic Delegation, including Pascale Delcomminette, CEO of the Wallonia Export and Investment Agency, the Secretary of Health of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Cláudia Mello, and the Municipal Health Secretary of Rio de Janeiro, Daniel Soranz. This agreement highlights the vital role of international partnerships in addressing global health challenges.

According to Mario Moreira, president of Fiocruz, “this partnership represents another strategic step in expanding access to healthcare and strengthening Brazil’s technological sovereignty, as it enables the production of important inputs for the Unified Health System (SUS), such as vaccines and RNA-based therapies. This integration of complementary scientific and technological capabilities is essential to drive innovations in disease treatment, expand the reach of public health and strengthen the resilience of SUS, benefiting millions of people”.

Building upon the successful implementation of Quantoom Biosciences’ Ntensify^® mRNA production system earlier this year at Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, the MoU establishes a framework for further collaboration between the parties. Key areas outlined include:

• Collaboration between Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz and Quantoom Biosciences on the development of second-generation saRNA (self-amplifying RNA) technologies for vaccines in Latin America and beyond.
• Partnership between Bio-Manguinhos and Univercells on the co-development of RNA-based therapies targeting diseases such as cancer.
• Joint exploration by all parties of “One Health” applications, with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
• Collaboration among all parties on the establishment of a new commercial manufacturing facility in Brazil, exclusively devoted to mRNA and based on Quantoom Biosciences technologies, and integrating local enzyme production (the biggest cost driver of mRNA production) and ensuring greater regional autonomy in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

The MoU reflects a strong commitment among the parties to negotiate and formalize agreements that will further their shared mission of driving accessibility, affordability, and innovation in global healthcare.

José Castillo, CEO of Quantoom Biosciences and CTO of Univercells, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “This partnership highlights the transformative power of cross-border collaboration in addressing some of the world’s most pressing health challenges. Together with Fiocruz and Bio-Manguinhos, we are advancing RNA-based technologies for infectious diseases and cancer therapies, contributing to global health equity and accessibility.”

Hugues Bultot, CEO of Univercells, added: “This MoU is a testament to our shared commitment to innovation and impact on health. By leveraging our combined expertise, we aim to create scalable and sustainable solutions that will redefine how vaccines and therapies are developed and delivered so everyone, everywhere, can get them.”

Mauricio Zuma, CEO of Bio-Manguinhos, highlighted: “We are very proud of this joint commitment that will allow the development of new products to include in the Institute’s portfolio in order to respond to public health demands and expand the population’s access to health solutions in Brazil and beyond. In addition, we aim to scale-up the innovation landscape and strengthen the Brazilian Health Economic-Industrial Complex (HEIC)”.

To read the English version of the PR, click here.