GSK to boost vaccines business with 250 million-euro buy of Swiss firm Okairos

UK pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) yesterday (May 29) revealed that it has acquired Swiss closely-held vaccines developer Okairos for 250 million euros ($321.4million) in cash, as a bolt-on for its already significant vaccines business which generated sales of £3.3 billion ($4.96 billion) in 2012.

Okairos, which was spun out from Merck & Co in 2007 and has laboratories in Rome and Naples, Italy, with headquarters in Basel, has developed a novel vaccine platform technology which is expected to play an important role in GSK’s development of new prophylactic vaccines (designed to prevent infection) as well as new classes of therapeutic vaccines (designed to treat infection or disease). Okairos’ technology complements GSK’s existing vaccine technology and expertise and will enable GSK to continue its work developing the next generation of vaccines. The deal also includes a small number of early stage assets.

Christophe Weber, president of GSK Vaccines, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for patients and our research organization as it is expected to contribute to the development efforts for an exciting new generation of vaccines, building on the excellent science and expertise of both companies.”