Premas Biotech has received follow-on support from the Gates Foundation to advance the development of its next-generation multi-antigen Rotavirus virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine candidate, developed using the company’s proprietary D-Crypt platform.

The new project builds on an earlier Gates Foundation-supported programme, under which Premas Biotech established proof-of-concept in a murine model for a first-in-class recombinant quadrivalent VLP vaccine.

With the additional support, the company will focus on advancing the vaccine candidate from proof-of-concept towards clinical readiness. The programme aims to establish a robust chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) framework and prepare for good laboratory practice (GLP) toxicology and Phase I-enabling studies.

A key objective is to build on the encouraging immunogenicity and functional neutralisation data generated during the earlier phase while advancing a candidate designed to combine scientific performance with manufacturability, scalability and affordability.

The broader goal is to support the development of a recombinant, non-replicating Rotavirus vaccine that could ultimately be suitable for deployment in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where Rotavirus remains a significant cause of illness among infants and young children.

Dr. Prabuddha Kundu, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Premas Biotech, said, “We are grateful to the Gates Foundation for their support for our Rotavirus vaccine program. This continued support marks an important step in advancing the candidate from proof-of-concept toward clinical readiness.”

He added that the company’s vision was to develop technologies that extend beyond demonstrating scientific promise and are designed from the outset for scalability, affordability and real-world global access.