Bavarian Nordic to license AdaptVac’s coronavirus vaccine for 4 million euros

A new agreement reached between Bavarian Nordic A/S and AdaptVac for 4 million euros upfront will allow Bavarian to license AdaptVac’s capsid virus like particle (cVLP) technology for coronaviruses.

Of particular note here is that the agreement gives Bavarian global commercialization rights to that technology’s COVID-19 indication, a vaccine candidate that has already shown positive preclinical data. That data showed high levels of neutralizing antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID-19 — produced by the drug. Its first clinical study is scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year, with data expected to follow in early 2021.

“We are very pleased to have signed the agreement with AdaptVac, allowing us to support and rapidly advance this highly promising COVID-19 vaccine candidate,” Paul Chaplin, president & CEO of Bavarian Nordic, said. “We continue to believe this vaccine candidate can address the WHO requirements to be safe and effective in all populations and induce a rapid protection after a single vaccination.”

All future clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of the vaccine will be the responsibility of Bavarian Nordic. The company plans to push for regulatory approvals within the next 12-18 months. However, AdaptVac could gain additional funds out of its arrangement with Bavarian if certain development and sales milestones are met. It will also receive tiered royalties.