Novavax and Vivalis Sign a Research License Agreement to Use the EB66(R) Cell Line for the Production of Virus Like Particle Bas
05 February 2009 - 12:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
ROCKVILLE, Md. and NANTES, France, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
NOVAVAX (NASDAQ:NVAX) and Vivalis (NYSE Euronext: VLS) announced
today the completion of a research license to use the Vivalis
proprietary EB66(R) cell line, for the production of Novavax VLP
based vaccines. Through this collaboration, Novavax intends to test
the EB66(R) cell line for the production of VLP vaccines against
several new potential viruses. The EB66(R) cell line, derived from
duck embryonic stem cells, presents unique industrial and
regulatory characteristics: (i) EB66(R) cells display long term
genetic stability and immortality; (ii) they grow in suspension up
to high cell densities in serum free medium; (iii) they can be
scaled up for growth in large bioreactors for industrial
productions; (iv) a biological master file (BMF) describing the
history and sanitary status of the cell line is filed with the US
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "Novavax is delighted to have
the opportunity to evaluate the EB66(R) cell line for its potential
use with our new VLP targets" stated Rahul Singhvi, Chief Executive
Officer of Novavax. "This collaboration is consistent with our
manufacturing strategy to use scalable cell culture solutions for
production of recombinant VLP vaccines and increases our
flexibility to design, develop and manufacture such vaccines to
address significant unmet medical needs." "Vivalis is very pleased
to enter into this research license agreement with Novavax, one of
the leading companies in the development of VLP based vaccines.
Following the demonstration that the EB66(R) cell line is a
promising substrate for the production of numerous viral vaccines
such as flu or MVA based vaccines but also for the production of
enhanced ADCC monoclonal antibody, we are delighted to start this
program with Novavax to evaluate the use of our proprietary cell
line in production of a new class of promising vaccine products,
virus-like particle based vaccines. This collaboration with Novavax
is a real opportunity as our partner has acquired one for the most
important know-how in this field" said Franck Grimaud, VIVALIS,
Chief Executive Officer. About the EB66(R) cell line: a new
platform for the production of biological products. EB66(R) cell
line is currently used or tested by a large majority of the world
players in vaccines, notably, Sanofi Pasteur, GSK, Bavarian Nordic,
CSL, Kaketsuken, Schering Plough (Nobilon), Geovax, Merial,
Intervet-Schering Plough or Virbac and has already been licensed to
4 companies for the production of proteins including
Sanofi-Aventis, CSL limited and Innate Pharma. With a portfolio of
23 licenses (10 research licenses and 13 commercial licenses), the
EB66(R) cell line is becoming a new standard cell substrate for
biologics production. About Vivalis (http://www.vivalis.com/)
VIVALIS (NYSE Euronext: VLS) is a biopharmaceutical company that
provides innovative cell-based solutions to the pharmaceutical
industry for the manufacture of vaccines and proteins, and develops
drugs for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases. VIVALIS's
expertise and intellectual property are exploited in three main
areas: 1. The development and manufacturing of vaccines. VIVALIS
offers research and commercial licenses for its EB66(R) cell line,
derived from duck embryonic stem cells, to pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies for the production of viral vaccines.
Vivalis receives up front, milestones, and royalties on its
licensee's net sales. 2. The development of production systems for
recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies. VIVALIS licenses
its EB66(R) cell line for the production of recombinant proteins to
biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Vivalis receives up
front, milestones, and royalties on its licensees' net sales. 3.
The construction of a portfolio of proprietary products in the area
of vaccines and anti-viral molecules (hepatitis C). Based in Nantes
(France), VIVALIS was founded in 1999 by the Grimaud group (1,450
employees), the second largest group worldwide in animal genetic
selection. VIVALIS has established numerous partnerships with world
leaders in this sector. VIVALIS is a member of the French ATLANTIC
BIOTHERAPIES bio-cluster. About NOVAVAX (http://www.novavax.com/)
Novavax, Inc. is a clinical stage biotechnology company, creating
novel vaccines to address a broad range of infectious diseases
worldwide using advanced proprietary virus-like particle (VLP)
technology. The Company produces these VLP based, potent,
recombinant vaccines utilizing new, and efficient manufacturing
approaches. Additional information about Novavax is available at
http://www.novavax.com/ and in the Company's various filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward Looking Statements
Statements herein relating to future financial or business
performance, conditions or strategies and other financial and
business matters, including expectations regarding clinical
developments, safety, efficacy and potency of our vaccines, and
supply availability are forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Novavax
cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to
numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over
time. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially
from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or
historical experience include risks and uncertainties, including
the failure by Novavax to secure and maintain relationships with
collaborators; risks relating to the early stage of Novavax's
product candidates under development; uncertainties relating to
commencing clinical trials and their outcome; risks relating to the
supply and commercialization, if any, of Novavax's proposed product
candidates; dependence on the efforts of third parties; dependence
on intellectual property; competition for clinical resources and
patient enrolment from drug candidates in development by other
companies with greater resources and visibility, and risks that we
may lack the financial resources and access to capital to fund our
operations. Further information on the factors and risks that could
affect Novavax's business, financial conditions and results of
operations, is contained in Novavax's filings with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at
http://www.sec.gov/. These forward-looking statements speak only as
of the date of this press release, and Novavax assumes no duty to
update forward-looking statements. DATASOURCE: Novavax CONTACT:
Tricia J. Richardson, Senior Manager, Investor Relations of
Novavax, Inc., U.S.A., +1-240-268-2031, ; Franck Grimaud, CEO of
Vivalis, France, +33-0-228-07-37-10 ; or Steve Grobet or Emmanuel
Huynh of NewCap, +33-0-1-44-71-94-91, Web Site:
http://www.novavax.com/
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