Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Celldex, VTI in vaccine licensing deal

By Mass High Tech staff

Celldex Therapeutics Inc., a Needham developer of vaccines and antibodies, has given Boston-based Vaccine Technologies Inc. a license to develop and sell CholeraGarde and ETEC vaccine programs, developed by Celldex.

The companies did not reveal financial terms of the deal, but it does include milestone payments, upfront license fees and royalties on net sales.

The International Vaccine Institute and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have helped develop CholerGarde and ETEC. CholeraGarde is undergoing Phase 2 clinical trials in Bangladesh, conducted by the IVI, with potential Phase 2 studies in India and Thailand, as well as Phase 3 field studies. The NIAID is pushing a Phase 1 study of ETEC, which officials have said could combat E.coli and cholera.

Celldex (Nasdaq: CLDX) has a manufacturing facility in Fall River. VTI has its offices and research labs in Boston and its manufacturing in China.

Celldex announced last week that it planned to sell its poultry vaccine business to Lohmann Animal Health International for an undisclosed amount. The company said it planned to focus on its human vaccine products instead, according to Celldex president and CEO Anthony S. Marucci.