Crucell N.V. and Genexine Co. Ltd. have entered into a licensing agreement wherein Genexine will use Crucell's PER.C6 cell line for the research, development and manufacture of a recombinant therapeutic vaccine against Hepatitis B.

Under the terms of the agreement, Genexine obtains a worldwide non-exclusive license for the use of Crucell's PER.C6 cell line to research and develop a therapeutic vaccine against Hepatitis B. Furthermore, the agreement includes the option for a commercial license. Crucell will receive upfront and annual payments; further financial details were not disclosed.

Jaap Goudsmit, Chief Medical Officer of Crucell said, "Crucell launched PER.C6 as a vaccine platform through a licensing agreement with Merck & Co. for its HIV vaccine. We are now expanding our PER.C6 business in the field of vaccines. The contract with Genexine, together with an agreement signed earlier this year with Rhein Biotech for a Japanese Encephalitis vaccine, endorses our strategy."

"Hepatitis B is one of the major infectious diseases affecting people throughout Asia. The need for an effective vaccine that can treat, as well as prevent, Hepatitis B infections is paramount", says Prof. Sung, Chief Technology Officer of Genexine. "Crucell's PER.C6 human cell line provides the perfect platform for the research and development of a therapeutic, adenovirus DNA vaccine."