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Billion-dollar deal takes University of Queensland's vaccine tech to the world
The University of Queensland's revolutionary Molecular Clamp technology which promises to fast-track vaccine development against future pandemics has caught the attention of international biopharma company Sanofi.
The French pharma giant has agreed to acquire the biotech company holding the rights to the breakthrough.
Under the eye-watering deal, worth up to $US1.6 billion ($A2.44 billion), Sanofi will purchase Vicebio, the company licensing UQ's cutting-edge technology for commercial use.
Sanofi announced that the acquisition brings an early-stage combination vaccine candidate for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV), both respiratory viruses currently significantly impacting global health.
'Vicebio's Molecular Clamp technology introduces a purposefully simple but thoughtful approach to further improve vaccine designs at a time when respiratory viral infections continue to impact millions globally,' Sanofi global head of vaccine research and development Jean-Francois Toussaint said.
The next-generation combination vaccine has the potential to protect older adults with a single immunisation against multiple respiratory viruses, he said.
UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry described the acquisition as extraordinary validation of Australian research excellence.
'This validates 12 years of UQ research and pays tribute to our dedicated scientists who invented this patented technology,' Terry said.
The Molecular Clamp platform burst onto the global stage during the early days of COVID-19, when international health organisation CEPI called on UQ to develop a vaccine candidate using the innovative approach.
Lead researcher Professor Keith Chappell said the technology's unique design could revolutionise how quickly vaccines are developed to combat emerging viruses.
'This facilitates efficient development of multi-pathogen vaccines that will protect vulnerable populations against common viruses causing severe respiratory diseases,' Chappell explained.
The platform remains crucial for pandemic preparedness, with UQ continuing research partnerships with CEPI to stay ahead of future health threats.
European life sciences investor Medicxi-backed Vicebio holds commercial rights to the technology, while UQ maintains a stake through its commercialisation arm UniQuest.
Sanofi's deal includes an immediate $US1.15 billion payment to Vicebio shareholders, with potential milestone payments reaching $US450 million pending regulatory approvals.
The success adds to UQ's impressive track record of turning laboratory discoveries into global commercial wins.
The university boasts more than 360 US patents and has launched more than 130 start-ups from its research.
Previous UQ breakthroughs include licensing the cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil and successful sales of biotech firms Spinifex Pharmaceuticals and Inflazome.
'This deal highlights the strength of Australia's innovation ecosystem and world-class research emerging from our universities,' Terry said.
Sanofi, headquartered in Paris, has a distinguished vaccine history as the first company to supply an injectable polio vaccine and pioneer vaccines for influenza, meningitis and rabies.
