07.09.07
Novavax, Inc. signed a non-exclusive, worldwide license agreement with Wyeth for the rights to a patent application covering virus-like particle (VLP) technology for vaccines. The agreement includes an upfront payment, annual license fees, milestone payments and royalties on any product sales. Payments to Wyeth could total $5 million through 2008.
Novavax is developing pandemic and seasonal flu vaccines based on the VLP technology. VLPs mimic the three-dimensional structure of a virus but do not contain genetic material, thus they cannot replicate and cause infection or disease. VLPs have been shown to activate multiple responses in the immune system.
"We are delighted to have completed this license agreement with Wyeth and see this license as another important step in building a strong intellectual property position for our influenza vaccine programs," stated Rahul Singhvi, president and chief executive officer of Novavax.
Novavax is developing pandemic and seasonal flu vaccines based on the VLP technology. VLPs mimic the three-dimensional structure of a virus but do not contain genetic material, thus they cannot replicate and cause infection or disease. VLPs have been shown to activate multiple responses in the immune system.
"We are delighted to have completed this license agreement with Wyeth and see this license as another important step in building a strong intellectual property position for our influenza vaccine programs," stated Rahul Singhvi, president and chief executive officer of Novavax.