Advertisement GlaxoSmithKline acquires remaining stake in Glycovaxyn for $190m - Pharmaceutical Business review
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GlaxoSmithKline acquires remaining stake in Glycovaxyn for $190m

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has completed the acquisition of remaining shares of Swiss vaccine developer for bacterial infections, GlycoVaxyn, for $190m.

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Since 2012, GSK owned a minority stake in Glycovaxyn, which has developed a biological conjugation platform technology that could help in the development of new prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines for a range of bacterial diseases.

This technology will enable GSK to develop a simplified process to manufacture conjugate vaccines.

Following the latest acquisition, GSK now owns all shares in Glycovaxyn, valuing the company at $212m.

GSK chairman of Vaccines Dr Moncef Slaoui said: "This is an exciting opportunity to expand our research efforts to develop a new generation of vaccines for common and severe bacterial infections, for many of which there are currently no effective vaccines.

"It reinforces our commitment to seek out and invest in great science and complements our proposed transaction with Novartis which will strengthen our leading position in vaccines."

Under the deal, GSK has also acquired several early stage vaccines being developed against bacterial infections such as pneumonia, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigellosis.

GlycoVaxyn was supported by investments from life science venture capital companies such as Sofinnova Partners, Index Ventures and Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners.

The Wellcome Trust has also granted funding for GlycoVaxyn under collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals.


Image: GlaxoSmithKline headquaters in London, UK. Photo: courtesy of Maxwell Hamilton.