SK bioscience, IDT Biologika, and Vaxxas Secure €12.9M EU Grant for Next-Gen Influenza Vaccine Development
Event summary
- SK bioscience, IDT Biologika, and Vaxxas have secured a €12.9M grant from the EU for Phase 1 development of next-generation influenza vaccines using high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) technology.
- The consortium aims to develop seasonal influenza vaccines for older adults and pandemic influenza vaccines for broader populations.
- IDT Biologika will serve as the European legal contracting entity and overall project lead, with SK bioscience supplying drug substance and Vaxxas manufacturing HD-MAP vaccines.
- The project is part of a €225M EU initiative to strengthen next-generation vaccine commercialization and supply capabilities within Europe.
- The consortium plans to target the premium European seasonal influenza vaccine market for older adults, estimated at approximately USD 459 million.
The big picture
This project represents a strategic entry point for SK bioscience and its partners into the European market, combining influenza vaccine development capabilities with Vaxxas' HD-MAP technology. The consortium aims to improve vaccine performance and access, addressing the strong demand for premium products in the seasonal influenza vaccine market for older adults. The potential impact of microarray patch (MAP) vaccines in a pandemic could significantly reduce cases, deaths, and economic losses, positioning the consortium at the forefront of global vaccination innovation.
What we're watching
- Technical Validation
- Whether the Phase 1 clinical trial will successfully validate the technical and clinical outcomes of the HD-MAP vaccine technology.
- Market Entry
- The pace at which the consortium can secure subsequent phases of the program and enter the highly regulated European market.
- Global Expansion
- How the consortium will leverage the success of this project to explore additional business opportunities in key markets such as Korea and the United States.
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