Gates Foundation invests $10 million in Liquidia to support vaccines development

USA-based Liquidia Technologies says that the Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation has made a $10 million program-related investment (PRI) in the company to support the development and commercialization of safer and more effective vaccines and therapeutics. This follows recent announcements of the first Liquidia clinical trial of its lead seasonal flu candidate (LIQ001) and a collaborative agreement with the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI).

Last year, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced that it will give $10 billion over the next 10 years support everything from basic research to delivery of vaccines to developing countries – deemed to be the largest-ever charitable donation (The Pharma Letter January 29, 2010).

“We are delighted the Gates Foundation has decided to join an outstanding group of investors that share our confidence in the potential of PRINT technology to improve vaccine delivery and effectiveness,” said Neal Fowler, chief executive of Liquidia, adding: “As the field of vaccines continues to grow, success will be defined by our ability to produce and deliver highly efficacious therapies in quantities and costs that will support the global demand.”