GSK is latest to assess VBI Vaccines' biologic stability tech after Sanofi

10-Feb-2016 - Last updated on 10-Feb-2016 at 12:58 GMT

GSK will test a stability enhancement technology developed by VBI Vaccines in a deal announced this week.

VBI’s liquid particle vaccine formulation (LPV) technology uses a mixture of synthetic lipids to encapsulate vaccines and biologics to stabilize and protect them from potentially damaging temperature fluctuations.

The idea is that protecting delicate vaccines and biologics in this way removed the need for costly processes like lyophilisation and cold-chain shipment. The approach is also designed to improve product shelf life.

Under the agreement, GSK will test the technology to see if it can improve the stability of its vaccines. VBI said the UK drugmaker has the option to negotiate an exclusive license to the technology “for use in a defined field.”

Big pharma

According to a VBI US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines unit of French drug maker Sanofi, is already testing the LPV technology.

VBI’s agreement with Sanofi – which began on April 2 and was due to run for a minimum of nine months – generated revenue of $388,475 in the nine month period ended September 30, 2015.

CEO Jeff Baxter said: “With our partners, we seek to develop a next generation of vaccines and biologics with improved stability characteristics that allow for consistently safe and effective administration in both established and emerging markets.”