BioWorld International Correspondent
PARIS - The French protein engineering company Avidis signed an agreement with the animal health company Merial providing for the latter to use Avidis' aXent adjuvant-free immunization technology for the development of recombinant veterinary vaccines.
The aXent process makes it possible to immunize without the use of the adjuvants that have been necessary for administering vaccines. The agreement covers the use of the technology in vaccines for two infectious diseases and also gives Merial the potential to acquire exclusive rights through license agreements covering those and other pathogens.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but Avidis CEO François Miceli told BioWorld International that it would "contribute significantly to the company's finances." Moreover, Avidis, of Clermont-Ferrand, France, already is negotiating further agreements with Merial, which is a joint venture between Merck & Co. Inc., of New York, and Paris-based Sanofi-Aventis Group. It operates out of Duluth, Georgia.
In addition, Avidis is in negotiations with other animal health companies interested in using aXent for the development of veterinary vaccines. The company's in-house research programs are focused on human vaccines.
Avidis said adjuvants do not maximize the efficacy of vaccines, although they do enhance immune responses and are regarded as clinically acceptable. The company said the technology opens up opportunities for developing adjuvant-free immunization in both therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines, including DNA vaccines.
Michel Wurm, Avidis' executive director, corporate development, said the deal provides validation of the technology, especially since Merial already is negotiating to extend its use of the technology to other pathogens. In addition, Wurm said the deal would encourage other companies with which Avidis is negotiating, and also reassure its own investors.
In that regard, Miceli said Avidis was considering another funding round. Since it was founded in September 2000, Avidis has raised 3.2 million (US$3.8 million) in two capital financings, mainly from two regional venture capital funds, and obtained public research grants of about 4.3 million. The last funding round was completed in April 2004.