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Ascenion Mediates License Agreement on Novel Vaccine Adjuvant between HZI and AmVac

14 Dec 2007 - The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Braunschweig (HZI) and AmVac AG entered into a license agreement providing AmVac with exclusive rights to develop and commercialize a synthetic lipopeptide called MALP-2 and its derivatives as vaccine adjuvants. In return, HZI receives upfront and milestone payments, as well as royalties on future sales. In addition, Ascenion GmbH obtained an equity stake in AmVac.
 
MALP-2 was discovered and developed by the HZI researchers Prof. Peter Mühlradt and Prof. Carlos A. Guzmàn and their teams. In preclinical studies using various animal models, they demonstrated that MALP-2 can effectively enhance immune responses when co-administered with vaccines by either the parenteral (e.g., subcutaneous) or mucosal (e.g. intranasal) route. When given by the mucosal route, MALP-2 also promotes strong immunity at different mucosal sites, a property exhibited by only few compounds. These activities are based, at least in part, on the ability of MALP-2 to trigger the activation and maturation of dendritic cells, which in turn present vaccine antigens to other immune cells.
 
"Our data support the value of MALP-2 as an immune adjuvant in many indications, ranging from respiratory infections caused by bacteria and viruses, to Chagas' disease and HIV/AIDS," Carlos A. Guzmàn, Head of the Department of Vaccinology at HZI, says. "As it can be administered by the mucosal route, it helps to fight microbial infections right at the point of entry. This not only improves disease prevention but also reduces horizontal transfer of pathogens in the community. Moreover, needle-free application is highly accepted by the public and simplifies the implementation logistics."
 
So far, there is no mucosal adjuvant on the market and only very few are in development.