AstraZeneca to Acquire Icosavax in Deal Valued at Approximately $1.1 Billion
With the acquisition, AstraZeneca will gain a potential RSV and hMPV combination vaccine.
TOP NEWS on grunge world map | Image Credit: © Sean K - stock.adobe.com
On Dec. 12, 2023, AstraZeneca announced a definitive agreement to acquire Icosavax, a US-based clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing vaccines using a protein virus-like particle (VLP) platform. The deal represents a value of roughly $800 million upfront, with the potential of $1.1 billion in total. With the acquisition, AstraZeneca will build on its vaccines and immune therapies pipeline with the addition of a potential respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) combination vaccine.
Icosavax’s lead investigational vaccine candidate, IVX-A12, is a combination protein VLP vaccine that targets both RSV and hMPV. The candidate will be entering Phase III clinical studies. IVX-A12 represents the first combination vaccine for RSV and hMPV, according to a company press release. There are currently no treatments or preventative therapies for hMPV, according to the release.
“This virus-like particle vaccine technology has the potential to transform prevention against severe infectious diseases, including RSV and hMPV. With the addition of Icosavax’s Phase III-ready lead asset to our late-stage pipeline, we will have a differentiated, advanced investigational vaccine, and a platform for further development of combination vaccines against respiratory viruses. This aligns with our strategy to deliver a portfolio of therapies to address high unmet needs in infectious diseases, and our ambition to protect the most vulnerable patients who have high risk of severe outcomes,” said Iskra Reic, executive vice-president, Vaccines & Immune Therapies, AstraZeneca, in the press release.
Source: AstraZeneca
Drug Solutions Podcast: A Closer Look at mRNA in Oncology and Vaccines
April 30th 2024In this episode fo the Drug Solutions Podcast, etherna’s vice-president of Technology and Innovation, Stefaan De Koker, discusses the merits and challenges of using mRNA as the foundation for therapeutics in oncology as well as for vaccines.
Hesperos, Psilera Agree to Accelerate Organ-on-a-Chip Treatment for Frontotemporal Dementia
June 9th 2025The partnership leverages the Hesperos organ-on-a-chip platform in the preclinical development of Psilera’s lead compound targeting the progressive neurological disorder for which treatment options are few.
Drug Solutions Podcast: Gliding Through the Ins and Outs of the Pharma Supply Chain
November 14th 2023In this episode of the Drug Solutions podcast, Jill Murphy, former editor, speaks with Bourji Mourad, partnership director at ThermoSafe, about the supply chain in the pharmaceutical industry, specifically related to packaging, pharma air freight, and the pressure on suppliers with post-COVID-19 changes on delivery.
How Smart Technology is Helping Reach Sustainability Goals in Drug Packaging
June 7th 2025Smart technologies, such as digital and laser printing, incorporated into manufacturing equipment are helping manufacturers align with sustainability goals, according to Sheikh Akbar Ali, general manager and head of Development and Technology for ACG Packaging Materials.
