Valneva SE (“Valneva”), a leading pure-play vaccine biotech company, announced today that it has signed two new license agreements for the development of veterinary and human vaccines on its EB66® cell line, bringing the number of new EB66® deals signed since the beginning of the year to seven. The first license agreement was granted to Italian pharmaceutical company Fatro for the development and commercialization of two veterinary vaccines on EB66® cells. Under the terms of the agreement, Valneva received an undisclosed upfront payment and is eligible to receive milestone payments along with future royalties on net sales. Valneva also announced the signing of a new research license agreement with Kaketsuken to develop a novel human vaccine candidate using the EB66® cell line. The new agreement follows two marketing approvals which were granted to Kaketsuken by the Japanese health authorities for an EB66®-based pandemic H5N1 influenza vaccine in March 2014 and for an EB66®-based prototype vaccine against any strain of pandemic influenza in March 2015. The Company further anticipates that Kaketsuken will be awarded a first stockpiling contract by the Japanese government in 2015 leading to first royalties for an EB66® based human vaccine upon vaccine delivery from 2016 onwards.
Prior to the licenses signed with Fatro and Kaketsuken, Valneva entered into five new agreements in the first half of 2015, including licenses to Chinese firm Jianshun Biosciences Ltd and to Merial, the animal health division of Sanofi (SNY). Valneva also granted German pharmaceutical Company Boehringer Ingelheim a 10-month extension to its current research license in return for an extension fee. Thomas Lingelbach, President and Chief Executive Officer and Franck Grimaud, Deputy CEO of Valneva, commented, “The EB66® cell line has proven its performance in the development of both veterinary and human vaccines with the marketing approval of three new EB66®-based vaccines in 2014 in three different regions of the world at a time when the regulatory environment is very demanding. The industry is becoming increasingly aware that the half-century-old egg-based method of producing vaccines has major limitations and some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies have already found in Valneva’s EB66® technology an excellent replacement for egg-based vaccine production.” To date, the Company has more than 35 research and commercial agreements with the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies (GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi-Pasteur, Zoetis, etc.) to license its EB66® technology. The most important ongoing EB66® clinical development programs in the human vaccine field is linked to pandemic and seasonal influenza programs for which Valneva granted an exclusive EB66® license to GSK and GSK´s co-development partner the Chemo-Sero Therapeutic Research Institute (Kaketsuken). GSK is developing its EB66®-based influenza vaccines in the US in partnership with the Texas A&M University System. Valneva expects to announce additional EB66® agreements in the second half of the year 2015.
About the EB66® Cell Line
Valneva’s EB66® cell line is a highly efficient platform for vaccine production. It is derived from duck embryonic stem cells and today represents a compelling alternative to the use of chicken eggs for large scale manufacturing of human and veterinary vaccines. To date, Valneva has more than 35 research and commercial agreements with the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies to utilize its EB66® technology. The first human vaccine using EB66® technology received marketing approval in 2014 and the first veterinary vaccine in 2012. About Valneva SE Valneva is a fully-integrated biotechnology company that specializes in the development, manufacture and commercialization of innovative vaccines with a mission to advance vaccines for better lives. The Company seeks financial returns through focused R&D investments in promising product candidates and growing financial contributions from commercial products, striving towards financial self-sustainability. Valneva’s portfolio includes two commercial vaccines for travelers: one for the prevention of Japanese Encephalitis (IXIARO®) and the second (DUKORAL®) indicated for the prevention of Cholera and, in some countries, prevention of Diarrhea caused by ETEC (Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli). The Company has proprietary vaccines in development including candidates against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Clostridium difficile and Lyme Borreliosis. A variety of partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies complement the Company’s value proposition and include vaccines being developed using Valneva’s innovative and validated technology platforms (EB66® vaccine production cell line, IC31® adjuvant).
Valneva is headquartered in Lyon, France, listed on Euronext-Paris and the Vienna stock exchange and operates out of France, Austria, Scotland and Sweden with approximately 400 employees. More information is available at www.valneva.com.