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Osivax, a France based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing differentiated influenza vaccines designed to generate broad-spectrum immune responses, and GC Biopharma, a leading South Korean biopharmaceutical company with extensive experience in vaccines and plasma-derived products, have announced a long-term collaboration to develop and commercialise a next-generation seasonal influenza vaccine candidate designed to provide broader and more durable protection against a wide range of influenza strains.
Under the agreement, the companies will develop the combination of OVX836, Osivax's broad-spectrum influenza A vaccine candidate targeting the highly conserved nucleoprotein (NP), with GC FLU, GC Biopharma's standard-dose, WHO-prequalified, inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine, in a single injection.
The combination is expected to leverage complementary immune mechanisms to provide higher and broader protection against circulating and emerging influenza strains. OVX836 is designed to induce T-cell responses against the highly conserved NP antigen, while GC FLU provides antibody responses against the well-known Hemagglutinin (HA) surface antigen.
The agreement grants Osivax a non-exclusive, sublicensable, global license (excluding Japan and Korea) to use GC FLU in combination with OVX836. Osivax will lead the global development strategy for the combination vaccine candidate and will be responsible for its development and commercialisation outside the Republic of Korea, where GC Biopharma will retain exclusive rights.
GC Biopharma will receive royalties and ensure long-term supply of GC FLU. Additional details and financial terms have not been disclosed.
