Vicebio Secures $100M to Develop Affordable Vaccines

Vicebio, a biotechnology startup based in London, recently secured $100 million in Series B funding to advance its innovative vaccine development technology. This latest funding round, disclosed on Monday, was spearheaded by TCGX and included investments from Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Avoro Ventures, and founding backer Medicxi, among others. The capital injection will support the progression of a range of vaccines for respiratory infections, with a key focus on a combination vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus, which has just entered Phase 1 clinical trials.

Vicebio's proprietary technology, known as the molecular clamp, is designed to target viral proteins in their prefusion state, which is before they attach to cells. According to CEO Emmanuel Hanon, this method is expected to elicit a stronger immune response and streamline the manufacturing process, potentially reducing production costs. Hanon explained in an interview that this approach might allow the company's vaccines to be produced more economically compared to traditional methods.

Despite a decline in demand for COVID-19 vaccines, there remains a significant requirement for new treatments to fight respiratory infections. For instance, in the past year, major pharmaceutical companies such as GSK, Pfizer, and Moderna have launched vaccines for RSV, a virus that can cause severe illness in both infants and the elderly. Additionally, pharmaceutical giants are heavily investing in vaccines aimed at enhancing existing immunizations for diseases like influenza and pneumococcal disease. There is also considerable interest in developing combination vaccines due to the seasonal overlap of various respiratory infections.

Vicebio aims to leverage its technology to address these opportunities and the limitations of existing vaccines. The company is focusing on a wide range of respiratory viruses, including parainfluenza and human metapneumovirus, for which no vaccines currently exist. Vicebio also asserts that it can create an RSV vaccine with broader protection than those currently available. Additionally, their vaccine is designed to be administered via a single, pre-filled syringe, unlike some existing vaccines that require reconstitution from multiple vials.

Hanon mentioned that the company’s goal is to develop highly cost-effective vaccines that could receive preferential recommendations from public health authorities. However, the research is still in its early stages. Vicebio’s initial candidate, VXB-241, is not expected to yield Phase 1 results until next year. The company also plans to use its new funds to push a trivalent vaccine targeting RSV, human metapneumovirus, and parainfluenza virus 3 into clinical trials. Hanon noted that the lower production costs associated with their technology allow the company to allocate capital more effectively, potentially accelerating the development timeline.

The current round of financing positions Vicebio to potentially reach the brink of Phase 3 clinical trials. With the new funding, TCGX managing partner Cariad Chester has joined Vicebio's board, along with Colin Walsh, managing director at Goldman Sachs, and Mark Chin, a partner at Avoro Ventures.