ExpreS2ion announces the OptiFemVac Consortium has received final Eurostars approval of its grant application for development of a novel Zika vaccine
Horsholm, Denmark, March 30, 2017 – Today, ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies ApS (“ExpreS2ion”), a fully owned subsidiary of ExpreS2ion Biotech Holding AB, announces the final approval of a Consortium Agreement together with Abera Bioscience AB and the University of Copenhagen, for a Eurostars grant for the project named ‘OptiFemVac’. The approval of the Consortium Agreement triggers a grant of approx. EUR 750,000 of which ExpreS2ion expects to receive approx. EUR 300,000. The approval follows the initial approval which ExpreS2ion Biotech Holding AB communicated in a press release on January 23, 2017.
The OptiFemVac project
The aim of the Consortium is to develop new vaccines for female reproductive and infant health. The Consortium combines special delivery platforms based on both virus and bacteria, which potentially enable superior, long-lasting and cost effective vaccines. The main focus of the OptiFemVac project is the development of a Zika vaccine, but the potential for a combined Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Placental Malaria (PM) vaccine will be also be addressed. The Consortium plans to have proof of concept in animals within one year from initiation of the work.
The Eurostars grant
The Consortium’s grant application is approved under the project name OptiFemVac (see https://www.eurostars-eureka.eu/project/id/11019) with ExpreS2ion as project lead. The overall project budget amounts to EUR 1.6M, which covers a period of 36 months. The awarded grant is approx. EUR 750,000 of which ExpreS2ion can expect to receive approx. EUR 300,000. According to the approved Consortium Agreement, ExpreS2ion’s activities will be initiated immediately and will mainly take place in 2017 and the funding will thus be recognised in the fiscal year 2017.
Abera Bioscience and University of Copenhagen
Abera Bioscience AB is a private Swedish biotech company, which has developed a new and unique platform for vaccine enhancement and delivery of vaccines. The core element is Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMVs) that can deliver multiple antigens of choice at a high density. Additional information about Abera can be found on www.aberabio.com.
The Centre for Medical Parasitology (CMP) is a collaboration between the University of Copenhagen and Rigshospitalet (DK). CMP’s research is focused on malaria and it is part of a well-established international scientific network composed of scientists in Europe, Africa, America and Australia. More than 60 scientists and technicians are affiliated at CMP; for more information see www.cmp.ku.dk/english.
CEO Dr. Steen Klysner comments
“I am very pleased that the Consortium Agreement was approved and we can initiate the project. The combination of unique front-end technologies held by the Consortium is a very competitive combination for the development of new efficient vaccines against Zika and HPV/malaria. Furthermore, if successful, the applied platform has potential for application in other similar indications, as well as therapeutic vaccines like cancer.”
Certified Advisor
Sedermera Fondkommission is appointed as Certified Adviser for ExpreS2ion.
For further information, please contact:
ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies,
Dr. Steen Klysner, CEO
Telephone: +45 2062 9908
E-mail: sk@expres2ionbio.com
This press release contains information that ExpreS2ion is obligated to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication through the agency of the contact person set out above on March 30, 2017.
About ExpreS2ion
ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies ApS, is a fully owned Danish subsidiary of ExpreS2ion Biotech Holding AB with company register number 559033-3729. The subsidiary has developed a unique platform technology, ExpreS2, enabling cost effective development and robust production of complex proteins for new vaccines and diagnostics for e.g. Malaria and Zika. Since founded in 2010, the company has used its patented ExpreS2platform to produce more than 200 proteins in collaborations with research institutions and biopharmaceutical companies, with a superior efficiency and success rate.
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