GSK to purchase Affinivax for USD 3.3 Billion

Dr Hal Barron, Chief Scientific Officer and President R&D, GSK, said: "The proposed acquisition further strengthens our vaccines R&D pipeline, provides access to a new, potentially disruptive technology, and broadens GSK's existing scientific footprint in the Boston area. We look forward to working with the many talented people at Affinivax to combine our industry-leading development, manufacturing, and commercialisation capabilities to make this exciting new technology available to those in need."

In the adult phase I/II clinical trials, AFX3772 was well tolerated in participants and demonstrated good immune responses compared to the current standard of care.

In July 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for AFX3772 to prevent S. pneumoniae invasive disease and pneumonia in adults 50 years and above. Phase III is expected to start in the short term. Phase I/II clinical trials to assess the use of the vaccine in paediatrics are planned to begin later this year.

"Affinivax grew out of our founders' scientific and personal vision to drive vaccine innovation to make a meaningful impact on people's lives, in both developed and developing countries," said Steven Brugger, CEO of Affinivax, Inc. "Over the past eight years, we have taken that vision from the initial development of our MAPS vaccine platform at Boston Children's Hospital to a pipeline of novel vaccines with our lead vaccine candidate in late-stage clinical studies. We are proud that GSK has recognized our team's accomplishments and are confident that GSK is an ideal new home for our MAPS platform and the team behind its success. GSK's significant capabilities will enable continued advances with MAPS to improve existing vaccines – as is the case with our lead Streptococcus pneumoniae MAPS vaccine program – and develop vaccines that combat novel and resistant infectious diseases for which there are no effective immunization strategies available today."