Novavax and Vivalis announced the completion of a research license to use the Vivalis proprietary EB66 cell line, for the production of Novavax VLP based vaccines. Through this collaboration, Novavax intends to test the EB66 cell line for the production of VLP vaccines against several new potential viruses.

The EB66 cell line, derived from duck embryonic stem cells, presents unique industrial and regulatory characteristics: (i) EB66 cells display long term genetic stability and immortality; (ii) they grow in suspension up to high cell densities in serum free medium; (iii) they can be scaled up for growth in large bioreactors for industrial productions; (iv) a biological master file (BMF) describing the history and sanitary status of the cell line is filed with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Novavax is delighted to have the opportunity to evaluate the EB66 cell line for its potential use with our new VLP targets" stated Rahul Singhvi, chief executive officer of Novavax. "This collaboration is consistent with our manufacturing strategy to use scalable cell culture solutions for production of recombinant VLP vaccines and increases our flexibility to design, develop and manufacture such vaccines to address significant unmet medical needs."

"Vivalis is very pleased to enter into this research license agreement with Novavax, one of the leading companies in the development of VLP based vaccines. Following the demonstration that the EB66 cell line is a promising substrate for the production of numerous viral vaccines such as flu or MVA based vaccines but also for the production of enhanced ADCC monoclonal antibody, we are delighted to start this programme with Novavax to evaluate the use of our proprietary cell line in production of a new class of promising vaccine products, virus-like particle based vaccines. This collaboration with Novavax is a real opportunity as our partner has acquired one for the most important know-how in this field" said Franck Grimaud, Vivalis, chief executive officer.

About the EB66 cell line: a new platform for the production of biological products.EB66 cell line is currently used or tested by a large majority of the world players in vaccines, notably, Sanofi Pasteur, GSK, Bavarian Nordic, CSL, Kaketsuken, Schering Plough (Nobilon), Geovax, Merial, Intervet-Schering Plough or Virbac and has already been licensed to 4 companies for the production of proteins including Sanofi-Aventis, CSL limited and Innate Pharma. With a portfolio of 23 licenses (10 research licenses and 13 commercial licenses), the EB66 cell line is becoming a new standard cell substrate for biologics production.