Crucell and Vaxin in PER.C6 licensing agreement

Vaxin, an emerging US biotechnology company based in Birmingham, Alabama, has entered into a license agreement with Dutch biotechnology company Crucell.

Under this non-exclusive license agreement Vaxin, which is involved in developing new vaccines for influenza, anthrax, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other diseases, is allowed to use Crucell's PER.C6 cell line for the development, manufacture and commercialisation of its recombinant adenoviral vaccines against certain respiratory viruses. Crucell will receive an upfront payment, annual maintenance fees and royalties on future sales.

In humans, the nose and the skin contain an abundance of immune cells that activate protection against disease-causing pathogens. Vaxin's proprie-tary technology takes advantage of the human immune system's natural defence mechanism and opens up new opportunities for safe and effective vaccines to prevent serious infectious diseases.

The company has already completed a Phase I influenza vaccine clinical trial and is preparing to begin a Phase I/II clinical trial for its nasal delivery influenza vaccine. Vaxin's programmes also include vaccines to protect against anthrax, RSV and tetanus/diphtheria.

'The PER.C6 technology is a well-established cell line that is utilised by leading pharmaceutical companies around the world," stated Dr Frank Cano, Vaxin chairman and ceo. 'Several of our products use non-replicating recombinant adenovirus to deliver vaccine antigens to the nose or the skin where they stimulate a protective immune response. The license agreement with Crucell now allows Vaxin to move forward with our portfolio of innovative vaccines.'