COVID-19 vaccines(Vaxil Biotherapeutics Ltd.)

The candidate Merck licensed was identified with Evaxion’s AI-Immunology platform, technology that is designed to detect new vaccine targets for cancer and infectious diseases.  \n Merck & Co. is choosing to license one of Evaxion’s AI platform-based vaccine candidates, offering the Danish biotech up to $592 million for rights to the preclinical asset.Merck’s licensing is part of a broader deal between the two that was inked back in 2024. That $1 billion biobucks deal granted the Big Pharma the option to pick up rights to two early-stage candidates.Now, Merck is paying $7.5 million upfront to exercise its option for Evaxion’s candidate dubbed EVX-B3. The upfront payment will stretch Evaxion’s cash runway into the first half of 2027, according to a Sept. 25 release.Moving forward, Merck will have full responsibility for EVX-B3 development. In exchange, Evaxion is eligible to earn up to $592 million in biobucks as well as royalties.Merck and Evaxion’s partnership on EVX-B3 dates back even before 2024. The pair actually jointly discovered and developed the program in September 2023. Later that year, Merck’s venture capital arm led a private placement financing for Evaxion.EVX-B3 is in preclinical development and designed to address “a serious global medical issue,” according to the release. The asset targets a pathogen tied to repeated infections, rising incidence and potentially serious complications. Currently, no vaccines are available to treat the undisclosed condition, according to the companies.The vaccine program was identified with Evaxion’s AI-Immunology platform, technology that is designed to detect new vaccine targets for cancer and infectious diseases.  “With its AI-Immunology platform, Evaxion has identified novel protective vaccine targets for a pathogen long considered difficult to address,” Tarit Mukhopadhyay, Merck Research Laboratories vice president and head of infectious diseases and vaccine discovery, said in the release. “We look forward to further evaluating EVX-B3 as part of our early vaccine pipeline.” Per the terms of the 2024 deal, Merck still has the chance to grab licensing rights to another preclinical vaccine, this one dubbed EVX-B2 and taking aim at gonorrhea. The pair also announced this week an extension to the evaluation period for the second vaccine candidate, with a decision on potential licensing now expected in the first half of next year.The deal amendment comes on the heels of an expansion to the initial evaluation plan that included additional experiments, according to the release.If Merck does opt in on EVX-B2, Evaxion will receive a $2.5 million cash payment and could be on the line for up to $592 million in milestone payments.   New Jersey-based Merck’s investment comes as federal health administrators question the science behind several approved and novel vaccine sciences.Just recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices met for a tense panel vote that ultimately refused to endorse a policy that could have significantly impeded access to COVID-19 vaccines for many Americans. The vote followed restricted FDA approvals granted to Pfizer and Moderna’s updated COVID-19 vaccines last month.

For Immediate Release Thursday, September 18, 2025 Contact Amanda Wheeler, Press Secretary Office of the Governor [email protected] GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT TAKES ACTION TO ENSURE ACCESS TO COVID-19 VACCINES FOR VERMONTERS Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Health today announced actions taken to ensure all Vermonters have access to COVID-19 vaccines through primary care providers and pharmacies across Vermont. “Getting vaccinated is the best way for us to protect ourselves and others, especially as we head into the fall season,” said Governor Phil Scott. “This order is a necessary step to make sure those who want a vaccine, can get one.” To achieve this, the Department of Health has issued a standing order allowing for the administration of the vaccine based on guidance from national medical associations. With recent changes to vaccine administration guidance, this order will enable pharmacies to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to Vermonters who choose to receive one, as they have in past years. “These recommendations should make it clear to Vermonters and providers that COVID-19 vaccines are available to all who want and need them,” said interim Health Commissioner Julie Arel. “The science has not changed. Vaccines are the best way to prevent serious illness from COVID-19.” For more information about COVID-19 vaccines and how to protect yourself from COVID-19, flu and RSV visit HealthVermont.gov/StayHealthy . ### Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.