GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA (GSK) and Intercell announced an agreement to form a strategic alliance to accelerate the development and commercialisation of needle-free, patch-based vaccines. The agreement will include Intercell’s candidate vaccine for travellers’ diarrhoea (TD) and an investigational single application pandemic influenza vaccine, as well as the use of the patch technology for other vaccines in GSK’s portfolio.

Under the terms of the agreement, GSK will make an up-front cash contribution of € 33.6 (£30) million, in addition to an equity investment of up to € 84 (£75) million through a staggered shareholding purchase option of up to 5 per cent in Intercell. Included in the agreement are Intercell’s investigational TD vaccine, currently in phase-III, and an investigational single application pandemic influenza vaccine in phase-II, as well as other potential future patch vaccines.

“This novel technology has real potential to change the way vaccines are delivered in the future. GSK has an extensive portfolio of vaccines and we believe needle-free vaccination could offer benefits such as simplified administration and increased compliance,” said Jean Stephenne, president of GSK Biologicals. “This agreement demonstrates how, as an integral part of our R&D programme, we not only look at new vaccines but also at alternative approaches to oral and intramuscular administration.”

“This new partnership is combining the forces of Intercell’s innovative needle-free vaccination programme and technologies with a vaccine leader’s strength in development and commercialisation. In addition, we can pursue our business strategy of creating significant shareholder value as an independent company whilst continuing to develop one of the most innovative product pipelines in the industry,” said Gerd Zettlmeissl, chief executive officer of Intercell.

Each year, approximately 20 million international travellers develop TD while visiting endemic areas in Asia, Africa and South America. Currently, there is no vaccine available to address this medical need. GSK and Intercell will collaborate on the TD Vaccine Patch, currently in phase-III, to commercialise this vaccine once it has gained regulatory approval. The agreement will also include a collaboration between the two companies to further develop and co-market an innovative pandemic influenza vaccination approach.

The patch technology opens up a new way of vaccine delivery that could make vaccines easier to administer, faster to deliver, and could result in lower or fewer doses.

Intercell’s investigational vaccine against Travellers' Diarrhoea (TD) is easily administrated by a novel needle-free vaccine patch.

Intercell AG is an innovative biotechnology company that develops novel vaccines for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases with substantial unmet medical needs.