3M licenses vaccine adjuvants to VaxInnate

3M Drug Delivery Systems has licensed its patented toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists for use as vaccine adjuvants to VaxInnate of Cranbury, NJ, US.

Under the terms of the non-exclusive licensing agreement, 3M will provide its TLR agonists to VaxInnate for an undisclosed fee, in addition to milestone and royalty payments.

3M said research has shown that these TLR agonists could enhance vaccine potency, enabling VaxInnate to develop vaccines that provide faster, more robust protection to patients.

"Pairing our TLR agonists with VaxInnate's innovative vaccine technology has the potential for increasing the effectiveness of vaccines," said Dr Mark Tomai, 3M Drug Delivery Systems" vaccine business development director.

3M has a number of patent protected toll-like receptor TLR7 and TLR8 agonists that have shown promise as vaccine adjuvants. These products can be used topically, admixed or in conjugatable form. The lead candidate, resiquimod (TLR7/8 agonist) has shown promising results in a number of animal models and has an extensive toxicology and clinical data package to support further development as a vaccine adjuvant. As small molecules, the TLR7 and TLR8 agonists offer advantages over other TLR agonists with regards to delivery and manufacturing, the company says.

VaxInnate's first vaccines focus is on infectious diseases, including seasonal and pandemic flu, malaria, dengue, human papillomavirus and respiratory syncytial virus. In 2008 and 2009, the company generated positive Phase 1 clinical data for its first two vaccines, a universal flu vaccine and a seasonal flu vaccine.