Protherics licenses CoVaccine HT to Nobilon

The UK's Protherics says it has licensed its CoVaccine HT adjuvant to Dutch group Nobilon International for use in pandemic influenza vaccines and seasonal influenza vaccines in elderly people.

More than 300 million doses of seasonal flu vaccine are produced each year globally, leaving a considerable shortfall in the event of a pandemic outbreak, says Protherics, adding that a powerful adjuvant such as CoVaccine HT may reduce the amount of antigen required in a pandemic influenza vaccine, enabling rapid, large-scale production in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak and for planned stockpiling. In addition, the CoVaccine HT adjuvant may increase the potency of a seasonal flu vaccine for elderly people with impaired immune systems, it notes.

The deal gives Nobilon the exclusive global rights, excluding the USA, to develop, manufacture and commercialize two new influenza vaccines containing CoVaccine HT. Protherics will receive an upfront payment from Nobilon on signing the agreement and is also entitled to get success-related milestones and royalty payments on net sales by the Dutch company.