Vical Incorporated
(
VICL
) recently signed an agreement with
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
(
BMY
) providing the latter with a global, non-exclusive license to its
patented platform DNA immunization technology and Vaxfectin
adjuvant.
As per the deal, Bristol-Myers will utilize Vical's technology
for the generation of antibodies which have the potential to be
used in therapeutic areas for human patients. Vical will also be
responsible for the supply of specified quantities of Vaxfectin to
Bristol-Myers. However, both parties did not disclose the financial
terms of the deal.
Vical Inc. specializes in the research and development of
biopharmaceutical drugs which are based on the company's patented
DNA delivery technologies. The DNA delivery technology has the
potential to be used for the development of products for the
prevention and treatment of life threatening diseases like
cancer.
Vical reported that Vaxfectin has showed significant improvement
in increasing the efficiency of the immunization process.
Vaxfectin, a cationic lipid-based formulation, helps increase a
vaccine's ability to cause immune responses.
We note that apart from the agreement with Bristol-Myers, Vical
Inc. also has licensing agreements with other companies related to
its patented technologies. Some of these companies are Astellas
Pharma Inc.,
Merck & Co. Inc.
(
MRK
),
Sanofi
(
SNY
) and Aqua Health Ltd. among other biopharmaceutical
companies.
The license agreement with Astellas Pharma is for the
development and commercialization of the candidate TransVax.
TransVax, a first-in-class DNA vaccine, is currently in a late
stage study for the prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV)
reactivation in transplant recipients.
Astellas intends to commence a phase III study of TransVax in
hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients in the second
half of 2012. The company is also expecting to start a phase II
study of TransVax for solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients
soon.
Our Recommendation
Currently, we have a Neutral recommendation on Vical Inc. The
stock carries a Zacks #3 Rank (short-term 'Hold' rating).
BRISTOL-MYERS (BMY): Free Stock Analysis Report
MERCK & CO INC (MRK): Free Stock Analysis
Report
SANOFI-AVENTIS (SNY): Free Stock Analysis
Report
VICAL INC (VICL): Free Stock Analysis Report
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