(Yicai) Dec. 11 -- Jinyu Bio-Technology’s shares rose after the Chinese developer of animal vaccines revealed plans to create an mRNA shot for African swine fever.

Jinyu Bio-Tech [SHA: 600201] ended 2.4 percent higher at CNY10.61 (USD1.48) in Shanghai today, the stock’s highest closing price since late May.

Spirit Jinyu Biological Pharmaceutical, a wholly owned unit, recently signed a cooperative deal with Shanghai-based RNA Cure to develop a safe and effective mRNA vaccine against African swine fever, its parent company said late on Dec. 8.

Globally, no mRNA vaccine for animals has yet been approved to go to market, and there are certain uncertainties and risks in the project, Jinyu Bio-Tech said. 

Hohhot-based Jinyu Bio-Tech did not reveal the project’s financial details. It did say the two firms had agreed the rights and interests and intellectual property rights, as well as details such as the payment periods for research and development funds. The two will jointly own the antigen technology obtained in the project.

RNA Cure has a technology platform for the development of mRNA drugs, Jinyu Bio-Tech said. They have been working on a platform to develop mRNA vaccines for animals since 2019 and have initially validated the safety of mRNA jabs for several species, including pigs, it added.

Chinese regulators granted emergency use authorization for a new mRNA Covid-19 vaccine jointly developed by RNA Cure and human vaccine maker Walvax Biotechnology earlier this month, Walvax said on Dec. 1.

Editor: Tom Litting