ExpreS2ion and Serum Institute of India have entered in a term sheet regarding proposed development and commercialisation of novel malaria vaccines

Hørsholm, Denmark, 16 October 2024 – ExpreS2ion Biotech Holding AB’s affiliate ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies ApS (“ExpreS2ion"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company with a focused pipeline of vaccine candidates targeting infectious diseases and cancer, announces that a term sheet has been entered with Serum Institute of India Private Limited (“SIIPL”), the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer. Upon execution of a definitive agreement on terms to be mutually agreed, SIIPL will obtain exclusive licensing rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialise certain malaria vaccine product lines, currently in Phase I and Phase II clinical development by the University of Oxford, based on ExpreS2ion’s proprietary ExpreS2 technology.  ExpreS2ion will receive limited, undisclosed development and regulatory milestone payments, as well as lower single-digit percentage royalties based on future net sales of these products.

Under research and clinical license agreements between ExpreS2ion and the University of Oxford, unique S2 cell strains have been developed by application of ExpreS2ion’s proprietary vector system, thereby bringing lead vaccine candidates based on RH5.1 and R78C malaria antigens into clinical Phase I and II trials. The status of these developments was most recently updated in June 2024, following a scientific publication (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(24)00312-8) highlighting the clinical progress of the lead malaria vaccine candidate based on the RH5.1 antigen. The promising findings reported by the University of Oxford further validate the potential of these vaccine candidates for combatting malaria.

Bent U. Frandsen, Chief Executive Officer, comments

“For more than a decade, the ExpreS2 system has played a pivotal role in the development of innovative malaria vaccine candidates by the University of Oxford. I am thrilled that SIIPL will now be bringing an ExpreS2-based malaria vaccine towards licensure. Given the extensive experience and capacity in vaccine production, SIIPL is the ideal collaborator to ensure these novel malaria vaccines reach the increasing millions at risk of this devastating disease.”

About the Malaria Vaccine Programs Utilizing the ExpreS2™ System

Since 2012, ExpreS2ion has supported malaria vaccine research initiatives, led by Prof. Simon J. Draper, Professor of Vaccinology and Translational Medicine at the University of Oxford. This collaboration has given rise to several malaria vaccine projects, including RH5.1 and R78C, both of which rely on ExpreS2ion’s proprietary ExpreS2™ technology for antigen production. Notably, this system has proven to be the only platform capable of generating enough of the active ingredients required for on-going vaccine development. Importantly, these vaccines are designed to target the "blood stage" of the malaria parasite’s life cycle as opposed to existing vaccines like R21/Matrix-M and RTS,S/AS01 which target the "liver stage". Based on promising clinical results from the University of Oxford, there is a strong expectation that a vaccine addressing both stages, could provide comprehensive protection against malaria.  

About Serum Institute of India Private Limited

Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. is the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by number of doses produced and sold globally (more than 1.5 billion doses annually) which includes Polio vaccine, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hib, BCG, r-Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella as well as Pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccines. It is estimated that about 65% of the children in the world receive at least one vaccine manufactured by SIIPL. Vaccines manufactured by SIIPL are accredited by the World Health Organization, Geneva and are being used in around 170 countries across the globe in their national immunization programs, saving millions of lives throughout the world. SIIPL is ranked as India's no. 1 biotechnology company, manufacturing highly specialized life-saving biologicals like vaccines using cutting edge genetic and cell-based technologies, antisera and other medical specialties. Serum Institute of India was founded in 1966 by Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla with the aim of manufacturing life-saving immuno-biologicals. More information at website www.seruminstitute.com.

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