# GlaxoSmithKline collaborates with CureVac on mRNA vaccine

- Link: https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/glaxosmithkline-collaborates-with-curevac-on-mrna-vaccine/412844232
- Published: 2020-07-20T07:18:55+01:00
- Author: Amilia Stone

**[GlaxoSmithKline](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/ftse-company/glaxosmithkline-plc/gsk.l)
plc** ([LON:GSK](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/ftse-company/glaxosmithkline-plc/gsk.l))
and CureVac have announced the signing of a strategic collaboration agreement for
the research, development, manufacturing and commercialisation of up to five mRNA-
based vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting infectious disease pathogens.
The collaboration complements GSK’s existing mRNA capabilities with CureVac’s integrated
mRNA platform.

mRNA (messenger RNA) technology is a rapidly progressing, cutting-edge platform 
for the development of new vaccines and medicines, potentially expanding the range
of diseases which can be prevented or treated, while also promising to significantly
speed up development and manufacturing. mRNA enables protein synthesis in the human
body, carrying the genetic code required for cells to manufacture and express proteins.
By using mRNA technology in vaccines and medicines, specific proteins, or antigens,
can be produced by the body’s own cells, enabling the human immune system to prevent
or fight disease. 

CureVac’s leadership in mRNA technology, along with its mRNA manufacturing capability,
complements GSKs existing scientific leadership in vaccines, including GSKs own 
self-amplifying mRNA (SAM) vaccine technology platform, and further builds on GSKs
growing capability in mAbs innovation, aligned to its R&D focus on the science of
immunology. Advancing mRNA-based vaccine and treatment technologies is also expected
to play a role in further improving response against future pandemics.

> **Roger Connor, President GSK Vaccines, said: **“GSK’s self-amplifying mRNA (SAM)
> vaccine technology has shown us the potential of mRNA technology to advance the
> science of vaccine development, and CureVac’s experience complements our own expertise.
> Through the application of mRNA technology, including SAM, we hope to be able 
> to develop and scale up advanced vaccines and therapies to treat and prevent infectious
> diseases quicker than ever before.”  

> **Dr. Franz-Werner Haas, acting Chief Executive Officer of CureVac, added: **“
> We are delighted to partner with GSK.  With this collaboration, we are gaining
> a world-class partner whose expertise and global footprint will allow us to further
> develop and translate the value of our platform into potential products for the
> world.”

The companies will combine their mRNA expertise on development opportunities across
a range of infectious disease pathogens, selected with the potential to best leverage
the advantages of this platform technology, while addressing significant unmet medical
need and economic burden.  CureVac’s existing COVID-19 mRNA and rabies vaccines 
research programmes are not included in the collaboration announced today.

Under the terms of the deal, GSK will make an equity investment in CureVac of £130m(
€150m), representing close to a 10% stake, an upfront cash payment of £104m (€120m)
and a one-time reimbursable payment of £26m (€30m) for manufacturing capacity reservation,
upon certification of CureVac’s commercial scale manufacturing facility currently
under construction in Germany.

CureVac will be eligible to receive development and regulatory milestone payments
of up to £277m (€320m), commercial milestone payments of up to £329m (€380m) and
tiered royalties on product sales.  

GlaxoSmithKline will fund R&D activities at CureVac related to the development projects
covered by the collaboration. CureVac will be responsible for the preclinical- and
clinical-development through Phase 1 trials of these projects, after which GSK will
be responsible for further development and commercialization. CureVac will be responsible
for the GMP manufacturing of the product candidates, including for commercialization,
and will retain commercialization rights for selected countries for all product 
candidates.  

Share on: