Globe Biotech's Bangavax wins first US pharma patent for Bangladesh

Globe Biotech Limited, a subsidiary of Globe Pharma Group of Companies, has received a United States patent for its homegrown Covid-19 vaccine, Bangavax – marking the first such patent granted to Bangladesh's pharmaceutical industry.

Industry insiders call it a milestone for the country's pharmaceutical sector. Although Covid-19 vaccines are no longer in urgent demand due to low infection rates, health experts say the patented technology can help develop mRNA vaccines for diseases like dengue and Nipah, and produce generic medicines, with Globe retaining the patent rights.

At a press conference at Globe Biotech's office today (14 September), Dr Kakon Nag, a scientist at Globe Biotech, announced that Bangavax is the only single-dose mRNA vaccine developed in Bangladesh.

He noted that 165 countries are members of the World Trade Organization's Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement and that Bangladesh will benefit from its provisions until November next year.

"The US patent allows us to use this technology for other drugs and export them worldwide. We received the patent on 26 August," Dr Nag said, adding that it will enable Bangladesh to produce safe, effective vaccines at low cost for domestic use and export.

Dr Nag also said the technology could be applied to develop DNA, subunit/protein, inactivated virus, and recombinant virus vaccines, as well as treatments for cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and blood diseases. He urged industry leaders and the government to support this breakthrough.

Founded in 2015, Globe Biotech focuses on biologics, novel drugs, and biosimilars for conditions such as cancer, arthritis, anaemia, hypertension, and autoimmune disorders. In 2020, under Dr Nag and Dr Naznin Sultana, it began researching Covid-19 diagnostic kits, vaccines, and therapeutics.

Dr Md Abu Zafor Sadek, pharmacist and former World Bank consultant, told The Business Standard that the US patent grants Globe Biotech exclusive innovation rights for 20 years.

"This means no other company can produce this vaccine using mRNA technology. Even if they do, they cannot market it in the US or Bangladesh unless it is manufactured by Globe Biotech in either country," he said.

He added that the patent not only increases Globe's brand value but also establishes it as an innovator.

Dr Sitesh Chandra Bachar, professor of Pharmacy at Dhaka University, told TBS, "US patents are the most prestigious. This is a major achievement for Bangladesh. Globe Biotech has shown the way forward for our pharmaceutical industry. Even though the vaccine wasn't rolled out due to trial delays, the technology can be used for other vaccines."

At the press conference, Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) Treasurer Muhammad Halimuzzaman noted that most local companies rarely conduct basic research due to cost and time constraints.

"Globe has set an example. It's not just a vaccine – this technology can produce medicines. It's an asset," he said.

BAPI Secretary General Dr Md Zakir Hossain added, "With the country's LDC graduation in 2026, concerns remain about royalties for patented drugs. But Globe's mRNA patent means multinationals will have to license their patents here. Globe faced many obstacles over the past five years, but has shown the way forward. This patent has brought honour to us."

Globe Biotech Chairman Harunur Rashid said, "Work on Bangavax began soon after the Covid-19 outbreak. But when trial permission was delayed here, how could we submit data to the WHO?

"During Covid-19, the US granted trial permission within a week, but we had to wait six months, then another year. Perhaps it wasn't in our fate, but we did not give up. Now, we have the US patent. So far, we have invested Tk500 crore in developing this vaccine."