GlaxoSmithKline to purchase vaccines specialist Okairos

GlaxoSmithKline has agreed a deal to purchase the Swiss vaccine technology developer Okairos as part of its ongoing commitment to invest in innovative science.

The takeover has been valued at around 215 million pounds and will see GlaxoSmithKline take full ownership of Okairos and its early-stage assets for diseases such as respiratory syncytial virus, hepatitis C, malaria, tuberculosis, ebola and HIV.

Okairos has developed a novel vaccine platform technology that can be used in the development of both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines, complementing GlaxoSmithKline's existing expertise in this field.

The two management teams will be working together to devise ways of ensuring that Okairos can maintain its autonomy and agility, while also benefiting from its new parent company's support and global capabilities.

Christophe Weber, president of GlaxoSmithKline's vaccines division, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for patients and our research organisation, as it is expected to contribute to the development efforts for an exciting new generation of vaccines.”

This is the firm's first major takeover since it completed its buyout of Human Genome Sciences in August last year.