Latest news with #Vicebio
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Billion euro deal: Sanofi buys UK biotech company to expand respiratory vaccine portfolio
In the race to develop next-generation respiratory virus vaccines, French pharmaceutical company Sanofi has agreed to buy Vicebio Ltd., a privately-held biotechnology company headquartered in London, UK. Sanofi said there will be an initial cash payment of $1.15bn (€980 million) for the deal, 'with potential milestone payments of up to $450 million based on development and regulatory achievements'. 'We are excited to join Sanofi', said Emmanuel Hanon, Chief Executive Officer at Vicebio, in a statement. 'Their global scale and deep expertise in vaccine development provide the ideal environment to fully realise the potential of our innovative technology." With the acquisition, Sanofi gets Vicebio's early-stage combination vaccine candidate for two respiratory viruses, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Respiratory infections, affecting millions globally, often appear as cold-like illnesses that could, in severe cases, lead to pneumonia. In respiratory medication, Sanofi already has several vaccines in its portfolio against flu and RSV prevention; this latest acquisition adds a non-mRNA vaccine to its pipeline. mRNA technology is relatively new for vaccines. It teaches the body how to make a protein that triggers an immune response to protect against a specific virus, instead of using a weakened or inactivated germ to trigger this reaction. With the current deal, Sanofi also gets access to Vicebio's Molecular Clamp technology, which stabilises viral proteins in their native shape, triggering a more effective immune response. This technology is expected to speed up vaccine development and simplify manufacturing and distribution. Related EU pharma chief calls for European Nasdaq to boost biotech innovation Doliprane-maker Sanofi confirms exclusive talks with US firm CD&R 'This acquisition furthers Sanofi's dedication to vaccine innovation with the potential to develop next-generation combination vaccines that could provide protection to older adults against multiple respiratory viruses with a single immunisation," said Jean-François Toussaint, global head of research and development vaccines at Sanofi. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025, and will not have a significant impact on Sanofi's financial guidance for 2025. The pharma giant's share price was down around 0.4% before 11:00 CEST in Paris. Sign in to access your portfolio
7NEWS
a day ago
- Business
- 7NEWS
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.
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
France's Sanofi to acquire biotech firm Vicebio for $1.15 billion
French pharmaceuticals company Sanofi said on Tuesday it would acquire British private biotechnology firm Vicebio for a total of $1.15 billion, expanding its respiratory vaccine portfolio. Following the acquisition, Vicebio's non-mRNA candidate vaccine for treating respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) will be added to Sanofi's range. The Vicebio deal includes a potential milestone payment of up to $450 million based on development and research achievements, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year. Sanofi will also obtain "Molecular Clamp" technology aimed at enabling quicker development of fully liquid combination vaccines that can be stored at standard refrigeration temperatures, eliminating the need for freezing or freeze-drying. The British company is the latest in a string of acquisitions by Sanofi, which recently finalised an up to $9.5 billion deal for U.S.-based Blueprint Medicines Corporation. Sanofi said that the acquisition will not impact its annual guidance.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Billion euro deal: Sanofi buys UK biotech company to expand respiratory vaccine portfolio
In the race to develop next-generation respiratory virus vaccines, French pharmaceutical company Sanofi has agreed to buy Vicebio Ltd., a privately-held biotechnology company headquartered in London, UK. Sanofi said there will be an initial cash payment of $1.15bn (€980 million) for the deal, 'with potential milestone payments of up to $450 million based on development and regulatory achievements'. 'We are excited to join Sanofi', said Emmanuel Hanon, Chief Executive Officer at Vicebio, in a statement. 'Their global scale and deep expertise in vaccine development provide the ideal environment to fully realise the potential of our innovative technology." With the acquisition, Sanofi gets Vicebio's early-stage combination vaccine candidate for two respiratory viruses, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Respiratory infections, affecting millions globally, often appear as cold-like illnesses that could, in severe cases, lead to pneumonia. In respiratory medication, Sanofi already has several vaccines in its portfolio against flu and RSV prevention; this latest acquisition adds a non-mRNA vaccine to its pipeline. mRNA technology is relatively new for vaccines. It teaches the body how to make a protein that triggers an immune response to protect against a specific virus, instead of using a weakened or inactivated germ to trigger this reaction. With the current deal, Sanofi also gets access to Vicebio's Molecular Clamp technology, which stabilises viral proteins in their native shape, triggering a more effective immune response. This technology is expected to speed up vaccine development and simplify manufacturing and distribution. Related EU pharma chief calls for European Nasdaq to boost biotech innovation Doliprane-maker Sanofi confirms exclusive talks with US firm CD&R 'This acquisition furthers Sanofi's dedication to vaccine innovation with the potential to develop next-generation combination vaccines that could provide protection to older adults against multiple respiratory viruses with a single immunisation," said Jean-François Toussaint, global head of research and development vaccines at Sanofi. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025, and will not have a significant impact on Sanofi's financial guidance for 2025. The pharma giant's share price was down around 0.4% before 11:00 CEST in Paris.
Euronews
2 days ago
- Business
- Euronews
Sanofi buys UK's Vicebio for over €1bn to expand vaccine portfolio
In the race to develop next-generation respiratory virus vaccines, French pharmaceutical company Sanofi has agreed to buy Vicebio Ltd., a privately-held biotechnology company headquartered in London, UK. Sanofi said there will be an initial cash payment of $1.15bn (€980 million) for the deal, 'with potential milestone payments of up to $450 million based on development and regulatory achievements'. 'We are excited to join Sanofi', said Emmanuel Hanon, Chief Executive Officer at Vicebio, in a statement. 'Their global scale and deep expertise in vaccine development provide the ideal environment to fully realise the potential of our innovative technology." With the acquisition, Sanofi gets Vicebio's early-stage combination vaccine candidate for two respiratory viruses, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Respiratory infections, affecting millions globally, often appear as cold-like illnesses that could, in severe cases, lead to pneumonia. In respiratory medication, Sanofi already has several vaccines in its portfolio against flu and RSV prevention; this latest acquisition adds a non-mRNA vaccine to its pipeline. mRNA technology is relatively new for vaccines. It teaches the body how to make a protein that triggers an immune response to protect against a specific virus, instead of using a weakened or inactivated germ to trigger this reaction. With the current deal, Sanofi also gets access to Vicebio's Molecular Clamp technology, which stabilises viral proteins in their native shape, triggering a more effective immune response. This technology is expected to speed up vaccine development and simplify manufacturing and distribution. 'This acquisition furthers Sanofi's dedication to vaccine innovation with the potential to develop next-generation combination vaccines that could provide protection to older adults against multiple respiratory viruses with a single immunisation," said Jean-François Toussaint, global head of research and development vaccines at Sanofi. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025, and will not have a significant impact on Sanofi's financial guidance for 2025. The pharma giant's share price was down around 0.4% before 11:00 CEST in Paris.
