Technology
UK begins Phase III trial of mRNA norovirus vaccine
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) announced in October 2024 that the first Phase III randomised trial of an investigational
Valneva and LimmaTech secure Shigella vaccine fast track
Valneva and LimmaTech Biologics announced in October 2024 that they have been granted Fast Track designation by the United States FDA for Shigella4V
CEPI and NRC work on safe protein antigens, faster
CEPI announced in October 2024 that it is working with experts at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to bioengineer a “commonly
NeoDisc pipeline enables personalised cancer immunotherapy
A paper in Nature Biotechnology in October 2024 presents an “end-to-end clinical proteogenomic pipeline” to address the challenges associated
Panthera joins Parexel’s Site Alliance Vaccine Network
In October 2024, Panthera Biopartners announced that Parexel has confirmed its inclusion in the Parexel Site Alliance Vaccine Network.
Vaxart initiates sentinel cohort for Phase IIb study
In September 2024, Vaxart announced the initiation of the sentinel cohort of its Phase IIb clinical trial evaluating the oral pill COVID-19 vaccine candidate in comparison with an approved mRNA vaccine. The funding is now approved for this part comprising 400...
SK bioscience completes IDT Biologika acquisition
In October 2024, SK bioscience announced the successful completion of its acquisition of a controlling stake in IDT Biologika. This follows the announcement in June 2024 that SK bioscience intended to acquire 60% of IDT Biologika’s shares from the Klocke Group to...
Vaccine delivery vehicle to improve access in Samoa
UNICEF announced in September 2024 that it is working with Australia and Samoa to improve access to vaccinations in Samoa. To this end, an innovative new vaccine delivery vehicle was delivered, alongside waste management supplies such as bins and masks. These supplies...
MSD Animal Health expands NOBIVAC NXT platform for cats
MSD Animal Health announced in September 2024 that it is expanding the newly USDA-approved NOBIVAC NXT vaccine platform to include a best-in-class solution to protect cats against a common feline infectious disease, feline leukaemia virus (FeLV). Describing this...
Evaxion launches enhanced AI-Immunology platform
Evaxion Biotech announced the launch of an enhanced version of its clinically validated AI-Immunology platform in September 2024, with an update to the EDEN AI prediction model. Improvements to the model include toxin antigen prediction, which enables the development...
Next-gen vaccines: Vicebio announces financing and study
Vicebio announced $100 million Series B financing and the initiation of a Phase I clinical study of RSV/hMPV bivalent vaccine in September 2024. The financing is led by TCGX with investment from Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Avoro Ventures, and venBio, with...
Self-administered FluMist secures FDA approval
In September 2024 the United States FDA announced the approval of FluMist for self- or caregiver-administration. It is approved for active immunisation for the prevention of influenza disease caused by subtypes A and B in individuals aged 2 to 49. FluMist is...
PharmaJet and Scancell partner on Stratis for DNA vaccine
PharmaJet announced in September 2024 that it has entered a long-term license and supply agreement with Scancell Holdings to use PharmaJet’s Stratis Intramuscular (IM) Needle-free System for the delivery of its advanced melanoma DNA vaccine. Through the agreement,...
MinervaX and Wacker Biotech collaborate on GBS vaccine
MinervaX and Wacker Biotech announced a collaboration to manufacture active protein ingredients for MinervaX’s Group B Streptococcus (GBS) vaccine in September 2024. The vaccine candidate is a novel protein-only vaccine, based on fusions of “highly immunogenic and...
Plug-and-play: PROVIDENT consortium receives NIAID funding
Albert Einstein College of Medicine announced receipt of a five-year grant worth $14 million a year from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The grant is part of NIAID’s ReVAMPP (Research and Development of Vaccines and Monoclonal...
WHO prequalification for Bavarian Nordic’s MVA-BN
In September 2024, WHO announced that the MVA-BN vaccine, manufactured by Bavarian Nordic, is the first vaccine against mpox to be put on the prequalification list. This approval is “expected to facilitate timely and increased access” to the vaccine in “communities...
Vaccines Europe: supply chain resilience needs collaboration
A paper from Vaccines Europe in September 2024 reveals “key vulnerabilities” in the vaccine supply chain and offers strategies to strengthen resilience. The paper addresses the “main causes” of vulnerabilities, how manufacturers are addressing the issues disrupting...
mRNA vaccine shows potential against mpox in study
A paper in Cell in September 2024 presents a promising mRNA vaccine candidate against mpox disease. The mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccine expresses MPXV surface proteins and was compared with modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccine, proving to confer protection...
Rokote and 3PBIOVIAN partner on FINCoVac 2.1 vaccine
3PBIOVIAN announced in September 2024 that it has been selected by Rokote Laboratories Finland Ltd. as CDMO partner for GMP manufacturing of adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) vector-based candidate expressing a modified SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The partnership aims to bring...
Vaxcyte reports positive topline results in study of VAX-31
Vaxcyte announced in September 2024 that its Phase I/II study of VAX-31, the 31-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), has produced positive topline results. The study evaluates the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of the vaccine in healthy adults aged...
