Osivax and GC Biopharma are joining forces to develop a next-generation seasonal influenza vaccine designed to deliver broader and longer-lasting protection against rapidly evolving flu strains.

 

The long-term strategic collaboration will combine Osivax’s experimental OVX836 vaccine with GC Biopharma’s established GC FLU vaccine in a single injection, bringing together two complementary approaches to influenza protection.

 

OVX836 is designed to trigger T-cell responses against nucleoprotein (NP), a highly conserved internal antigen of influenza A. GC FLU, meanwhile, generates antibody responses against hemagglutinin (HA), a surface antigen traditionally targeted by seasonal flu vaccines.

 

The companies say the combination could strengthen protection against both circulating and emerging influenza strains by targeting the virus through complementary immune mechanisms.

 

Under the agreement, Osivax will hold a non-exclusive, sublicensable global license to use GC FLU with OVX836, excluding Japan and South Korea. Osivax will lead the global development strategy and handle development and commercialization outside South Korea, while GC Biopharma will retain exclusive rights in its home market.

 

GC Biopharma will receive royalties and provide long-term supplies of GC FLU. The companies did not disclose additional financial terms.

 

“Despite decades of progress in influenza vaccination, there remains a significant need for approaches that can provide broader and more durable protection against evolving influenza strains,” said Alexandre Le Vert, CEO and Co-Founder of Osivax. 

 

“This agreement marks a key step towards developing a superior seasonal influenza vaccine by combining Osivax’s T-cell-focused approach with GC Biopharma’s established GC FLU vaccine and manufacturing capabilities. This partnership is a cornerstone of our strategy to lead the development of a next-generation seasonal influenza vaccine while preserving Osivax’s strategic independence.”

 

GC Biopharma CEO Eun-Chul Huh said the partnership brings together complementary expertise needed to advance new approaches to influenza prevention.

 

"Advancing next-generation influenza vaccines requires collaboration between companies with complementary expertise across various scientific disciplines," said Eun-Chul Huh, CEO of GC Biopharma. 

 

"We are pleased to partner with Osivax to develop a combination vaccine candidate designed to address long-standing unmet needs in seasonal influenza prevention. This agreement supports GC Biopharma's continued expansion into major advanced markets while reinforcing our domestic position."

 

Seasonal influenza continues to pose a major public-health burden, particularly for older adults and people at higher risk of complications.

 

Most seasonal flu vaccines primarily target surface antigens, which can change substantially from one season to the next. Osivax is pursuing a different strategy with OVX836, targeting NP — an internal influenza A antigen that is considerably more conserved.

 

The company says the approach is intended to broaden protection across influenza A strains. Osivax has previously reported that co-administration of OVX836 with a seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine was well tolerated and produced complementary immune responses, providing support for further development of combination vaccines.

 

OVX836 has been evaluated in seven clinical trials involving more than 4,000 participants, with the company reporting encouraging safety, immunogenicity and efficacy findings. The candidate is currently being developed in Phase 2b trials.

 

The vaccine uses Osivax’s oligoDOM technology, a self-assembling nanoparticle platform designed to generate both T-cell and B-cell immune responses against the conserved NP antigen.