GlaxoSmithKline expands deal for “potent” vaccine aid

The UK’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), has expanded a licence agreement for QS-21 Stimulon, an immunostimulant made by Antigenics.

QS-21 Stimulon is an adjuvant that has been shown to stimulate antibodies as well as immune responses in cells. Antigenics describes it as a “critical component” in the development of preventative vaccines and possibly “essential” in researching a new generation of therapeutic vaccines to treat diseases like cancer and degenerative disorders.

Clinical studies have shown QS-21 Stimulon to be “significantly” more effective than current aluminium-based adjuvants used to increase the immune response to a vaccine.

Garo H Armen, chairman and chief executive officer of Antigenics, said: “We are delighted to announce this transaction with GSK.

“GSK is the world’s leading developer of preventive vaccines and novel cancer immunotherapeutics and Antigenics’ QS-21 offers GSK one of the most potent and widely used immunostimulants in development.”

“These agreements represent an important strategic collaboration for both companies,” Dr Armen concluded.

GSK will purchase a percentage of its QS-21 supply from Antigenics, as well as royalties for ten years after the first commercial sale and payments on achieving certain milestones. In return, Antigenics will transfer manufacturing technologies to GSK.

Antigenics, a New York-based company, also has QS-21 agreements with Elan, Wyeth and Pharmexa.

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