CureVac and GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) have signed an agreement to work together on the research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of as many as five mRNA-based vaccines and monoclonal antibodies for use against infectious diseases.
By collaborating, CureVac gains access to GSK’s mRNA capabilities, while GSK gains CureVac’s integrated mRNA platform. GSK will also make an equity investment of £130 million in CureVac and an upfront payment of £104 million. Notably, though, the collaboration will not include CureVac’s existing COVID-19 mRNA and rabies vaccine research.
“GSK’s self-amplifying mRNA (SAM) vaccine technology has shown us the potential of mRNA technology to advance the science of vaccine development, and CureVac’s experience complements our own expertise,” Roger Connor, president of GSK Vaccines, said. “Through the application of mRNA technology, including SAM, we hope to be able to develop and scale-up advanced vaccines and therapies to treat and prevent infectious diseases quicker than ever before.”
mRNA technology allows scientists to make vaccines and medicines that encourage the body to make specific proteins or antigens within its cells, essentially kicking the immune system into action. mRNA itself carries the genetic code cells need to produce and express proteins.
“With this collaboration, we are gaining a world-class partner whose expertise and global footprint will allow us to further develop and translate the value of our platform into potential products for the world,” Dr. Franz-Werner Haas, acting CEO of CureVac, said.
If CureVac meets certain milestones, it could also receive up to £277 million for development and regulatory efforts, and up to £329 million in commercial payments, along with tiered royalties, under the terms of the arrangement. CureVac will, however, be responsible for the preclinical and clinical development through phase 1 trials of these projects before GSK takes over. CureVac will also handle the GMP manufacturing of any product candidates, and for this will retain commercialization rights for selected countries.