GlaxoSmithKline to purchase Swiss vaccines firm GlycoVaxyn

GlaxoSmithKline has announced the acquisition of the specialist vaccine biopharmaceutical company GlycoVaxyn in a deal worth $190 million (124.74 million pounds).

The Swiss company has developed a biological conjugation platform technology for the development of new prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines for various diseases. This technology could also be used as the basis for a simplified conjugate vaccine manufacturing process.

GlaxoSmithKline has been collaborating with GlycoVaxyn since 2012 and previously held a minority stake in the company. It has now acquired the remaining shares to take full ownership of the business.

The deal also gives GlaxoSmithKline access to a small number of early-stage vaccines in development against bacterial infections such as pneumonia, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigellosis.

Dr Moncef Slaoui, chairman of GlaxoSmithKline's vaccines business, said: "This is an exciting opportunity to expand our research efforts to develop a new generation of vaccines for common and severe bacterial infections, for many of which there are currently no effective vaccines."

This represents an important strategic area for the company, which currently has vaccines for conditions such as shingles and Ebola in development.