The partnership with Oncovita focuses on the development of a vaccine to prevent infectious diseases in children, using Oncovita’s Measovir ® platform. This technology transforms an attenuated strain of the measles virus into a vector, capable of inducing a long-lasting immune response. Initial trials will aim to ensure the compatibility of the two businesses’ technologies.
This new packaging format offers several advantages, including a reduced carbon footprint compared with traditional glass vials. It is also easier to transport and administer, even in regions with disrupted supply chains. Unither hopes to increase its production capacity with a second line ready in September 2025 and a third line planned for mid-2026.
Unither has already conducted proofs of concept on other biological products, including the Spike proteins used for Covid-19 vaccines. With this partnership, the challenge is to bring a first product to market and demonstrate this technology.
In addition, the innovative Blow-Fill-Seal (BFS) format allows for minimal temperature reduction to avoid affecting the contents, thereby ensuring product integrity. This partnership with Oncovita explores the integration of Measovir ® and Euroject ® for simplified vaccine administration, offering an effective, safe, and easy-to-deploy solution to better protect patients globally.
Jean-François Le Bigot, President of Oncovita, said: “This partnership with Unither enables us to explore the integration of Measovir ® and Euroject ® for simplified vaccine administration (…). Our aim is to create an effective, safe, and easy-to-deploy solution to better protect patients worldwide.”
Johann Cauvez, Director of the Unither Amiens site, said: “The first thing we must do is ensure that our technologies are compatible.” He also said: “We’ve worked to reduce the temperature as much as possible so as not to affect the contents.”
The project is also part of the “France 2030” plan, an ambitious initiative aimed at fast-tracking the transformation of key sectors of the French economy through innovation. With a budget of €54 billion, this plan aims to develop industrial competitiveness and future technologies, with a particular focus on decarbonization and supporting emerging players. In 2023, Oncovita was a winner of the “Innovations in Biotherapies and Bioproduction” program as part of the “France 2030” plan, securing funding of €4.5 million to move forward with cancer vaccine trials.