GlycoVaxyn Enters Collaboration with Janssen

GlycoVaxyn AG, a leader in the development of innovative vaccines, today announced that Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (JPI), has signed an exclusive license agreement and entered into a three-year research and development collaboration to develop a multi-valent bacterial vaccine employing GlycoVaxyn's bio-conjugation technology.
 
"Bacterial pathogens that exist in multiple pathogenic strains pose significant challenges for developing vaccines that target these strains," said Michael Wacker, co-founder and chief scientific officer of GlycoVaxyn.  "Our recombinant DNA-based vaccine technology is particularly well-suited for polyvalent conjugate vaccines and should make the development and commercialization of these vaccines more feasible and reliable."
 
GlycoVaxyn will collaborate with JPI's affiliate, Crucell Holland BV, on the development of the multi-valent vaccine until proof-of-concept, after which JPI will be responsible for later-stage clinical studies and world-wide commercialization.  The consideration to GlycoVaxyn includes an upfront payment, milestone payments, royalties as well as reimbursement of research and development expenses.  Financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed.
 
Philippe Dro , chief executive officer of GlycoVaxyn added, "This collaboration is a further confirmation of the position GlycoVaxyn is about to occupy in the vaccine development space. The whole team is dedicated to establish GlycoVaxyn's technology as a powerful platform able to generate innovative vaccine candidates. We are very pleased to work together with JPI and Crucell and to be able to contribute to their vaccine development ambitions."
 
In December GlycoVaxyn had already announced a strategic collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline to develop new bacterial vaccines employing GlycoVaxyn's bio-conjugation technology. The agreement includes an undisclosed set of pathogen targets in the field of bacterial vaccines. GSK retains an option to obtain an exclusive license on these targets during the three-year term of the collaboration and to extend both the term as well as scope of the collaboration. GlycoVaxyn receives an upfront payment and an equity investment.  In addition, GlycoVaxyn is eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties on licensed vaccine candidates. Financial terms have not been disclosed.