Billion-dollar deal takes UQ vaccine technology to the world
A major international agreement will accelerate the global development of The University of Queensland’s Molecular Clamp vaccine technology. Global healthcare company Sanofi has agreed to acquire biotechnology company Vicebio for an upfront payment of US$1.15 billion, with potential milestone payments of up to US$450 million. Vicebio was established to commercialise the Molecular Clamp platform developed at The University of Queensland by Professors Keith Chappell, Daniel Watterson and Paul Young. The technology stabilises viral proteins to enable faster vaccine development against respiratory viruses and emerging pathogens. While the acquisition advances commercial development, UQ will continue to use the Molecular Clamp platform for pandemic preparedness research in collaboration with Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
(Photo credit: The University of Queensland )