GSK and CureVac Announce Collaboration

GSK and CureVac announced a collaboration on mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccine and monoclonal antibody research programs for infectious diseases. GSK and CureVac announced the signing of a strategic collaboration agreement covering research, development, manufacturing and commercialization processes for five mRNA-based vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting infectious disease pathogens. The collaboration will complement GSK's existing mRNA capacity with CureVac's integrated mRNA platform. mRNA (messenger RNA) is a rapidly advancing, state-of-the-art platform for developing new vaccines and medicines. This platform promises to expand the range of potentially preventable or treatable diseases while significantly accelerating development and manufacturing. mRNA, which carries the genetic code required for cells to produce and form proteins, enables protein synthesis in the human body. With the use of mRNA technology in vaccines and medicines, specific proteins or antigens can be produced by the body's own cells, allowing the immune system to prevent or fight disease. The collaboration will further develop GSK's growing capacity in mAbs innovation in alignment with its R&D focus on immunology science. Advanced mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutic technologies are expected to contribute to improving responses to future pandemics. GSK Vaccines Division Head Roger Connor said regarding the collaboration: "GSK's self-amplifying mRNA (SAM) vaccine technology has demonstrated to us the potential of mRNA technology to advance vaccine development science, and CureVac's experience will play a complementary role to our own expertise.

By applying mRNA technology, including SAM, we hope to develop and scale advanced vaccines and therapies to treat and prevent infectious diseases faster than ever before." he said.

CureVac Board Chair Dr. Franz-Werner Haas said: "We are pleased to partner with GSK. Through GSK's expertise and global reach, we gain a world-class partner that will enable us to further develop the value of our platform and transform it into potential products for the world." he stated. Regarding development projects, GSK will finance R&D activities at CureVac, and under this collaboration will make an equity investment of GBP 130 million and an upfront payment of GBP 104 million to CureVac. CureVac, in turn, will be responsible for preclinical and clinical development during Phase 1 studies of these projects. Subsequently, GSK will be responsible for further development and commercialization. CureVac will be responsible for GMP manufacturing of product candidates, including commercialization, and will retain commercialization rights in selected countries for all product candidates.