Astellas partners with ClearPath to build vaccine portfolio; sells fermentation assets

Japanese drug major Astellas Pharma (TYO: 4503) has entered into a strategic partnership with ClearPath Development , a subsidiary of RRD International, to form a portfolio of development companies focused on vaccines targeting infectious diseases.

The partnership was established to support Astellas' goal of building a global vaccine franchise and launched its first company, RSV Corp (RSVC), in December 2013. Astellas will fund RSVC's development of a virosome vaccine technology, licensed from Mymetics Corp (OTC BB: MYMX), for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) through completion of a Phase IIb human proof-of-concept study. Based on the strategic partnership, Astellas received exclusive rights to acquire RSVC as well as further develop and commercialize the vaccine product.

"This partnership highlights our commitment to build a global vaccine business and represents a highly efficient model for bringing innovative vaccines to market. It is also a unique opportunity for Astellas to utilize external cutting edge science and technology to enhance our ability to generate innovative drugs, as part of the "Reshaping Research Framework" program announced in May 2013," said Kenji Yasukawa, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, at Astellas.