(Boursier.com) — As part of the ambition of Sanofi to develop a diversified portfolio of best-in-class vaccines, the company announces the conclusion of a co-exclusive licensing agreement with Novavaxa biotechnology company based in Maryland, United States.
The terms of the agreement include: a co-exclusive license to co-commercialize a single adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine from Novavax globally (excluding countries with existing licensing agreements). advance purchase and India, Japan and South Korea, where Novavax has partnership agreements); an exclusive license for Novavax’s adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine for use in combination with Sanofi’s influenza vaccines; and a non-exclusive license to use Matrix-MTM adjuvant in vaccine products. Sanofi will also take a minority stake (less than 5%) in Novavax.
Jean-François Toussaint, Global Head, ‘R&D’ Vaccines, underlines: “The levels of hospitalizations due to influenza and COVID-19 are now closely linked. We now have the opportunity to develop combined vaccines, not mRNA, against these two infections, for greater patient comfort and enhanced protection against these two serious respiratory viruses. We are excited to combine Novavax’s adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine – which has shown high and effective efficacy. a favorable tolerability profile -, to our rich portfolio of differentiated influenza vaccines, which have demonstrated their superior protective power against influenza and its serious complications. Better tolerability and greater thermostability, without compromising effectiveness, are. precisely what the regulatory authorities, the authorities responsible for vaccination recommendations and patients will require.”
John Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Novavax, comments: “This collaboration is important for Novavax and for global public health. Our new partnership combines Sanofi’s global leadership in launching and commercializing innovative vaccines with Novavax’s proprietary technologies in of recombinant proteins and nanoparticles, its Matrix adjuvant and its R&D expertise. Together, we can expand access to our COVID-19 vaccine and adjuvant so that more people can benefit from the protection these provide. Novavax vaccines can now refocus its efforts on leveraging its technology platform and new adjuvant in R&D, as well as expanding its development portfolio, to help achieve its mission to develop. vital vaccines to fight infectious diseases.
The terms of the license agreement:
Novavax will receive an upfront payment of $500 million and up to $700 million based on the achievement of various development, regulatory and commercialization milestones, for a total of $1.2 billion.
From 2025, Sanofi will record sales of Novavax’s adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine and cover certain R&D, regulatory and marketing expenses.
Novavax will receive double-digit tiered royalties on sales of COVID-19 vaccines and combined influenza/COVID-19 vaccines made by Sanofi.
Sanofi will be solely responsible for the development and commercialization of any new combined influenza-COVID-19 vaccine developed with a Sanofi influenza vaccine.
Outside of this collaboration, each party will be able to develop and market, at its own expense, its own vaccines against influenza and COVID-19, as well as its own adjuvanted products.
Novavax is entitled to additional payments upon completion of launch and additional milestones of up to $200 million, as well as single-digit royalties for each additional Sanofi vaccine developed under non-exclusive license with Novavax’s technology. Novavax Matrix-M adjuvant.
Sanofi will also take a minority stake (less than 5%) in Novavax.
