UNIVERCELLS (IDFF)

Univercells develops and commercializes modular bio-manufacturing equipment, aimed at producing vaccines and biosimilars in low and medium income countries. The project supports the company's research and development investments to develop a portfolio of four essential vaccines at affordable prices, high quality and large volumes.

The investment is expected to contribute to a sustainable growth of the promoter while maintaining or increasing its highly-skilled jobs in research and development (R&D). The project aims to increase the reach of several essential vaccines to a broader population.

The project mainly concerns investments in R&D (process development, clinical studies, regulatory development/production capacity, etc.) that are expected to be carried out in existing facilities already authorised for the same purpose and would therefore not require an EIA under the Directive 2014/52/EU amending the EIA Directive 2011/92/EU. Full environmental details will be verified during the appraisal.

The Promoter has been assessed by the EIB as being a private company not being subject to EU rules on public procurement or concessions. However, if after the project appraisal, the EIB were to conclude that the Promoter is after all subject to EU public procurement legislation (Directive 2014/24/EU), then the Bank would require the Promoter to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the project will be tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation (Directives 2014/24/EU as well as Directive 89/665/EEC) as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU, with publication of tender notices in the EU Official Journal, as and where required.