IVX-A12

Both VXB-241 and VXB-251 have been developed with Vicebio’s so-called “molecular clamp” tech. The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) space may have filled up over the past year, but that isn’t deterring Vicebio or its investors.The British biotech has secured $100 million in series B funds as it continues a phase 1 trial of its bivalent vaccine targeting both RSV and human metapneumovirus (hMPV). A readout for the vaccine, dubbed VXB-241, is expected next year.Further, the company will use some of the cash to push ahead with VXB-251, a trivalent vaccine targeting RSV, hMPV and parainfluenza virus 3.Both VXB-241 and VXB-251 have been developed with Vicebio’s so-called “molecular clamp” tech, which is designed to better stabilize viral proteins and thus make the biotech’s vaccines easy to administer and store. It was developed by a team led by professors Paul Young, Ph.D., Daniel Watterson, Ph.D., and Keith Chappell, Ph.D., at the University of Queensland in Australia before being licensed out to Vicebio by the university’s commercialization arm.“This innovative approach enables the production of highly effective vaccines that are easy to manufacture and will be available in ready-to-use prefilled syringes,” the biotech explained in a Sept. 24 release. The financing was led by TCGX and featured founding investor Medicxi alongside Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Avoro Ventures, venBio and UniQuest."The support from these high-calibre investors underscores the robust data package we have generated for VXB-241, highlighting the significant potential of our proprietary Molecular Clamp technology to develop next-generation vaccines against respiratory viruses,” Vicebio CEO Emmanuel Hanon, Ph.D., said in the release.Hanon joined Vicebio from GSK, which secured the first approval for an adult RSV vaccine last year in the form of Arexvy. Pfizer now has its rival Abrysvo on the market, which was joined in May by Moderna's mRESVIA. Merck & Co. is following close behind, while AstraZeneca—which manufactures the approved RSV antibody Beyfortus—threw its hat in the ring late last year by buying RSV vaccine developer Icosavax.There are currently no approved vaccines targeting both RSV and hMPV, meaning Vicebio could still carve out its own niche in an increasingly crowded arena. However, Vicebio's prospect will be going up against IVX-A12, the RSV and hMPV combo vaccine that AstraZeneca acquired as part of its Icosavax buyout. AstraZeneca was touting IVX-A12 as being “phase 3 ready” as far back as December.

Vicebio has raised $100m in a Series B funding round led by TCGX. Credit: MargJohnsonVA via Shutterstock. UK-based startup Vicebio has raised $100m to advance its “next-generation vaccines” for respiratory illnesses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to Phase I trials. Vicebio is the latest biotech to eye up the RSV market, a space that has seen a buzz of development over the last year. Pharma giants GSK , Pfizer and Moderna have all brought vaccines for the illness to the market. The $100m Series B round was led by TCGX with investment from Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Avoro Ventures, venBio, and participation from UniQuest and founding investor Medicxi. Vicebio’s chairman Giovanni Mariggi said: “Vicebio has made significant progress in developing its Molecular Clamp platform and successfully advanced VXB-241 which offers unmatched vaccine coverage against respiratory viruses.” London-headquartered Vicebio has initiated a Phase I clinical trial (NCT06556147) of its bivalent vaccine VXB-241 that targets both RSV and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) viruses. The trial will evaluate four dose levels of the vaccine in up to 136 subjects. Research is still early, with topline data not expected until mid-2025. Vicebio will also use the funds to develop VXB-251, a trivalent vaccine targeting RSV, hMPV, and parainfluenza virus 3 (PIV3). See Also: Biologic API Manufacturing Companies (Protein and Peptide) in Contract Manufacturing for the Pharmaceutical Industry Bavarian Nordic gains US contract for additional mpox vaccine Both VXB-241 and VXB-251 have been developed with Vicebio’s “molecular clamp” technology. This helps to keep viral glycoproteins in a specific shape that makes the immune system respond better. By doing this, it helps the body produce stronger protection against the virus. These vaccines are designed to be easy to manufacture and come ready in pre-filled syringes. RSV is a common virus that affects the respiratory system and can cause serious illness in infants and the elderly. GSK secured the first US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for an adult RSV vaccine in May 2023, called Arexvy. Pfizer’s Abrysvo and Moderna’s mRESVIA followed close behind, winning approvals in May 2023 and June 2024, respectively. However, no approved vaccines target both RSV and hMPV, allowing Vicebio to establish a unique position in this increasingly competitive arena. The company will be competing against AstraZeneca ’s RSV and hMPV combo vaccine IVX-A12, which it inherited as part of its $1.1bn Icosavax acquisition . AstraZeneca said that the vaccine is Phase III ready but no pivotal trial has yet been initiated.