Affinivax out-licenses MAPS vaccine targeting pneumococcal disease

USA-based biotech firm Affinivax has inked a worldwide license agreement that offers significant upfront and downstream financial potential with the US subsidiary of Japanese drug major Astellas Pharma (TYO: 4503).

Under the collaboration, the companies will develop and commercialize a vaccine targeting pneumococcal disease (Streptococcus pneumoniae) using the Affinivax proprietary Multiple Antigen Presentation System (MAPS) vaccine technology.

Kenji Yasukawa, senior vice president and chief strategy officer of Astellas, commented: “Astellas expects to provide a new option to prevent pneumococcal disease with high unmet medical needs by developing innovative MAPS vaccine as part of our commitment to serve patients interests worldwide.”