Germany-based clinical stage biopharmaceutical firm CureVac has entered into collaboration and licensing agreement with Janssen Pharmaceuticals to develop a messenger RNA (mRNA)-based influenza vaccine.
The deal will see CureVac collaborate with Crucell Holland, a member of the Janssen Pharmaceuticals, on the development of an influenza vaccine based on its RNActive technology.
Under the deal, CureVac will develop optimized RNActive vaccines based on Crucell's antigen sequences which will be tested in several models.
So far, RNActive vaccines based on CureVac's technology platform have showed better efficacy and safety in many clinical trials.
In order to develop new and effective mRNA vaccines, CureVac is combining both the antigenic and adjuvant properties of mRNAs.
RNActive vaccines consist of modified and formulated mRNA with three distinct features: strong antigen expression, increased stability and enhanced immune-stimulatory activity.
Compared to conventional methods, the RNActive technology provides faster generation of vaccines.
