France-based Osivax and South Korea-based GC Biopharma (006280.KS) announced a long-term influenza vaccine collaboration to co-develop and commercialize a single-injection combination product pairing Osivax's OVX836 with GC Biopharma's marketed GC FLU vaccine. The approach is designed to combine conventional strain-specific antibody protection with immune responses targeting a highly conserved influenza antigen, potentially providing broader and more durable protection against seasonal influenza.
OVX836 is a nucleoprotein (NP)-targeting nanoparticle vaccine candidate built on Osivax's oligoDOM self-assembling nanoparticle platform, currently in Phase IIb clinical development (NCT05569239) enrolling approximately 2,850 participants across European sites. The candidate induces T-cell and B-cell responses against the highly conserved NP antigen of influenza A. GC FLU is a WHO-prequalified inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine targeting the hemagglutinin (HA) surface antigen, contributing strain-specific antibody responses. The combination is intended to layer NP-directed T-cell immunity onto conventional HA-based antibody protection in a single injection.
Under the agreement, Osivax receives a non-exclusive, sublicensable global license — excluding Japan and Korea — to use GC FLU in combination with OVX836. Osivax will lead global development and hold commercialization rights outside Korea; GC Biopharma retains exclusive commercialization rights in Korea and will supply GC FLU under a long-term supply arrangement, receiving royalties in return. Financial terms were not disclosed.