Emergent BioSolutions is investing in Swiss biotech Rocketvax, inking a deal designed to fuel the preclinical company’s R&D.
The partners did not publicly disclose the investment amount tied to the deal, but said the money would be funneled to Swiss Rockets—Rocketvax’s parent company—to support the biotech’s research and infrastructure development, plus portfolio expansion for Swiss Rockets, according to a March 12 release.
The partnership is a “game-changer” for Rocketvax, Swiss Rockets CEO and founder Vladimir Cmiljanovic, Ph.D., said in the release, citing Emergent’s production capabilities and regulatory expertise.
The companies also plan on penning a separate pact in which Maryland-based Emergent would lead potential U.S. manufacturing and commercialization activities for four of Rocketvax’s vaccine candidates across infectious diseases, cancer and autoimmune disorders.
“We are excited to partner with Rocketvax to accelerate the development of innovative products that address significant public health challenges,” Emergent President and CEO Joe Papa, said in the release. “These four projects directly support Emergent’s strategic focus on growth and turnaround as part of our multi-year transformation plan.”
Over the past year-plus, the manufacturer has implemented strategic initiatives designed to drive costs down and boost performance metrics.
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Over at Rocketvax, the company is working on a live-attenuated nasal spray SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, touting the program as showing superior efficacy compared to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in animal models. The biotech’s approach is designed to boost both cellular and mucosal immunity for stronger and more durable protection, with tech that is made to improve vaccine stability and simplify distribution.
Last summer, Rocketvax signed a letter of intent with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to help fund its COVID-19 candidate. That collaboration is part of Project NextGen, an initiative that was launched by the Department of Health and Human Services to accelerate new, innovative COVID-19 vaccines.