ImmunoBiology Ltd (“ImmBio”), a biotechnology company located in Cambridge, UK and Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation, established to address TB in Developing Countries, have entered into a research and licensing agreement for the development of breakthrough TB vaccines.
ImmunoBiology has been studying how to utilize Heat shock protein Complexes (“HspCs) to boost immune protection after the effectiveness of BCG vaccination has waned. In many countries, the population is automatically vaccinated with BCG, but further vaccination with BCG is not protective. A later aim is to wholly replace BCG. ImmBio has successfully demonstrated proof of principle of the approach.
Recognized as one of the world’s top healthcare priorities and with significant economic consequences, Aeras channels funds and directly undertakes work to improve current products and support promising emergent approaches. It is funded by a number of sources, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
ImmBio has agreed to provide access to its know-how and relevant patent portfolio to Aeras, so that Aeras can progress vaccine candidates through to regulatory approval. It will do so internally, with facilities in the US and India, through contractors and with ImmBio. Aeras will manage and fund the program. ImmBio has licensed the marketing rights for Developing Countries to Aeras, while retaining rights for Developed Countries.
Graham Clarke, ImmBio’s CEO comments: “We are delighted to work with an organization of Aeras’ stature, to take forward this exciting, breakthrough approach. Aeras has excellent facilities, highly experienced staff and novel licensing structures. These provide an outstanding route for commercial companies such as ImmBio to exploit opportunities to address the major unmet needs of TB”.
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