Crucell, Sanofi Pasteur Restructure Partnership

Crucell N.V. and Sanofi Pasteur have restructured their partnership, following last year’s acquisition of Shantha Biotechnics by Sanofi. Crucell will waive its right to terminate an existing license agreement between Crucell Switzerland and Shantha for the development of pediatric vaccines, based on Hemophilus influenzae b. This termination right was triggered by the change of control at Shantha.

Sanofi Pasteur will return the commercial rights it held under an exclusive license agreement for the development and commercialization of a cell-based flu vaccine (FluCell), based on Crucell’s PER.C6 technology. With the return of the worldwide marketing rights, Crucell will assume full responsibility for the FluCell program. Previously, Crucell only had market rights in Japan.

“We are excited to have the cell-based influenza program back at Crucell. Together with our Taiwanese partner Adimmune, we have been able to successfully increase the future availability of flu antigen for Inflexal V, our virosomal adjuvanted influenza vaccine,” said Crucell’s chief executive officer, Ronald Brus. “The introduction of cell-based Inflexal V will be the next giant leap for Crucell’s respiratory franchise.”

Crucell expects to file a license for the influenza vaccine in 2014.