Vicebio Secures $100 Million for Vaccine Development
Vicebio, a biopharmaceutical company based in London, UK, has recently made headlines by securing an impressive $100 million in Series B funding. This significant round of financing was led by the investment firm TCGX, with notable contributions from prominent entities such as Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Avoro Ventures, venBio, and UniQuest. These investments reflect a strong vote of confidence in Vicebio's mission to develop cutting-edge vaccines aimed at combating life-threatening respiratory viral infections that pose considerable health risks to populations worldwide. Founding investor Medicxi also participated in this funding round, further solidifying the support for Vicebio’s innovative approach.
The funds raised will be strategically leveraged by Vicebio to expedite the development of multivalent respiratory virus vaccines, utilizing their proprietary molecular clamp technology.
This groundbreaking technology, initially discovered at The University of Queensland, is designed to stabilize viral glycoproteins in their highly immunogenic ‘prefusion’ conformation. As a result, Vicebio’s approach has proven applicable to a broad spectrum of viruses, including well-known pathogens such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus, influenza, and coronaviruses. The validation of this technology has been supported by a series of preclinical and clinical studies, showcasing the potential for the company to make a significant impact in the field of infectious disease prevention.
Under the leadership of CEO Dr. Emmanuel Hanon, Vicebio is currently advancing its research through a Phase I clinical trial for VXB-241, a bivalent vaccine that specifically targets both RSV and hMPV viruses. These viruses are notorious for causing severe respiratory illness, particularly among elderly individuals and those with compromised immune systems. As part of their clinical research strategy, Vicebio aims to provide initial readouts from the Phase I study by mid-2025, which will be a pivotal moment in demonstrating the efficacy and safety of their innovative vaccine candidates. The company is optimistic about the prospects of its research and remains committed to addressing the pressing need for effective vaccines against these significant health threats.
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