Evaxion Retains Global Rights to EVX-B2 as MSD Declines Option
Evaxion (EVAX) has been informed that MSD (MRK) will not exercise its option for Evaxion's Gonorrhea vaccine candidate EVX-B2. Consequently, Evaxion retains global rights to EVX-B2 and will look for another potential licensing partner. Earlier this year MSD exercised its option on a separate Evaxion vaccine candidate, EVX-B3. Evaxion is eligible for milestone payments up to $592 million associated with the development of EVX-B3, as well as royalties on net sales.
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Evaxion Looks for New Partner for Gonorrhea Vaccine Following Merck's Withdrawal
Merck's Decision on EVX-B2: Merck & Co. has opted not to pursue Evaxion's gonorrhea vaccine candidate EVX-B2, allowing Evaxion to retain global rights and seek other licensing partners.
Gonorrhea Vaccine Landscape: Despite affecting over 80 million people annually, no gonorrhea vaccine has been approved yet, although preclinical studies show promise for EVX-B2.
Evaxion's Financial Outlook: Evaxion's CEO stated that Merck's decision does not impact their financial projections, which extend to the second half of 2027.
Recent Developments: Evaxion has successfully out-licensed another vaccine candidate, EVX-B3, to Merck, receiving an upfront payment and potential future milestone payments, while the FDA recently approved GSK's oral treatment for gonorrhea.
Evaxion Retains Global Rights to EVX-B2 After MSD Declines Option
- Change in Partnership Opportunity: MSD's decision not to exercise its option for Evaxion's Gonorrhea vaccine candidate EVX-B2 allows Evaxion to seek new licensing partners while retaining global rights to the project, although this decision does not impact its cash runway.
- Vaccine Potential: EVX-B2 has demonstrated protective effects against Gonorrhea in preclinical studies, highlighting the potential of Evaxion's AI-Immunology™ platform to develop vaccines that address significant unmet medical needs, despite the absence of approved vaccines to date.
- Financial Stability: Evaxion's cash flow outlook did not include a potential in-licensing of EVX-B2 by MSD, meaning this decision will not affect its cash runway, which is projected to extend into the second half of 2027, ensuring financial flexibility for future R&D activities.
- R&D Direction: Evaxion is also developing an mRNA version of EVX-B2 in collaboration with Afrigen Biologics, further expanding its vaccine pipeline and demonstrating the company's ongoing innovation capabilities in addressing infectious diseases.
