- IDT Biologika has been selected, alongside SK bioscience and Vaxxas, for Phase 1 of an EU-funded next-generation influenza vaccine initiative under a framework contract valued at up to €225 million.
- HaDEA will provide up to €12.9 million to support Phase 1 research and a Phase 1 clinical trial, with IDT Biologika serving as European legal contracting entity and project lead.
IDT Biologika has announced that it has been selected, together with SK bioscience and Australian biotechnology company Vaxxas, for Phase 1 of a next-generation vaccine development initiative managed by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) on behalf of the European Commission’s Health Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA). The consortium will develop a seasonal influenza vaccine for older adults and a pandemic influenza vaccine for the general population using Vaxxas’ needle-free high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) technology.
The initiative forms part of one of three EU-funded framework contracts valued at up to a total of €225 million. HaDEA will provide up to €12.9 million to support Phase 1 research activities, including a Phase 1 clinical trial. Subject to technical validation and positive clinical outcomes, the consortium may progress to subsequent phases of the program.
Within the consortium, IDT Biologika will act as the European legal contracting entity and overall project lead, overseeing project management and coordination with European authorities. SK bioscience will supply drug substance using its cell culture technology for both its licensed influenza vaccine, SKYCellflu, and a pandemic influenza vaccine currently under development. Vaxxas will manufacture the HD-MAP vaccines and collaborate on clinical development.
The patch-based vaccines are designed to deliver comparable immunogenicity responses with lower antigen doses than traditional delivery platforms. The technology features short application time and room-temperature stability, which may support ease of administration and improved vaccine access. According to Datamonitor, the seasonal influenza vaccine market targeting older adults is estimated at approximately $459 million, reflecting demand for differentiated, premium formulations in this segment.
