US-based biopharmaceutical company Emergent BioSolutions has announced a strategic investment in Rocketvax, a subsidiary of Swiss Rockets, focused on vaccine manufacturing.
The investment in Swiss Rockets subsidiary aims to support research, infrastructure, and the expansion of Rocketvax’s biotechnology portfolio.
The agreement also includes a strategic partnership, where Emergent will lead US manufacturing and commercialisation efforts for four of Rocketvax’s pipeline candidates.
The four candidates target infectious diseases, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.
One of the candidates is already part of a collaboration with the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the Project NextGen initiative.
The collaboration with NIH supports a clinical trial investigating a next-generation vaccine using Rocketvax’s in-house technology.
Emergent president and CEO Joe Papa said: “We are excited to partner with Rocketvax to accelerate the development of innovative products that address significant public health challenges.
“As Rocketvax is poised to progress its pipeline, we will stand ready to leverage our unique capabilities to ultimately bring these solutions to patients and communities in need.
“These four projects directly support Emergent’s strategic focus on growth and turnaround as part of our multi-year transformation plan.”
Building on its expertise in molecular biology and reverse genetic engineering, Rocketvax develops next-generation vaccines using attenuated live viruses.
Its novel approach stimulates both cellular and mucosal immunity, offering stronger and longer-lasting protection compared to traditional mRNA or protein-based vaccines.
The technology also enhances vaccine stability and simplifies distribution, representing a promising advancement in vaccine development.
Rocketvax’s top candidates include a live-attenuated nasal spray SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, which has shown superior efficacy compared to mRNA-based vaccines, in animal studies
Rocketvax CEO Vladimir Cmiljanovic said: “By partnering with Emergent BioSolutions, we are combining cutting-edge vaccine innovation with world-class production and regulatory expertise.
“This joint venture not only accelerates the development of next-generation vaccines but also paves the way for groundbreaking advancements in global healthcare.
“Our shared vision is to revolutionise disease prevention and immunotherapy, bringing life-saving solutions to millions worldwide. This collaboration is a major milestone for Rocketvax.
“By joining forces with Emergent, we can leverage their world-class production capabilities to deliver next-generation vaccines that have the potential to transform disease prevention and immunotherapy.”
