Crucell, GSK Enter Second-Gen Malaria Vax Pact

Crucell N.V. and GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals have signed an agreement to collaborate on the development of a second-generation malaria vaccine candidate. Preclinical data from earlier studies indicated significantly enhanced immune responses against the malaria parasite when Crucell’s Adenovirus (AdVac) technology and GSK’s RTS,S/AS technology are used in combination, versus either component alone.

Crucell will contribute its recombinant malaria vaccine candidate, Ad35-CS, based on its AdVac technology and PER.C6 manufacturing platform. In turn, GSK will contribute its late stage malaria vaccine candidate RTS,S/AS.

The companies will seek third party funding to advance the Ad35-CS and RTS,S/AS prime-boost candidates into a Phase I/IIa clinical challenge trial in the U.S. and, pending the results, the companies expect to advance the prime boost candidate in further clinical studies with the support of public or non-profit partners.

“We are very excited about this collaboration with GSK, which brings new impulse to the potential of eradicating malaria as one of the top three killers in the world,” said Ronald Brus, chief executive officer at Crucell. “Malaria currently represents one of the most prevalent infections in tropical and subtropical areas, causing close to 900,000 deaths every year, mostly amongst children. I am confident a partnership of this kind will allow us to take a vital step towards our goal of bringing meaningful innovation to global health.”