3M Licenses Vaccine Adjuvants to VaxInnate

ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov 09, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- 3M Drug Delivery Systems has signed an agreement with VaxInnate Corporation under which VaxInnate acquires the use of 3M's patented toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists for use as vaccine adjuvants. Data suggest that 3M's TLR agonists could enhance vaccine potency, potentially enabling VaxInnate to develop vaccines that provide faster, more robust protection.

Under the terms of the non-exclusive licensing agreement, 3M provides its TLR agonists to VaxInnate for an undisclosed licensing fee, in addition to milestone and royalty payments.

"Pairing our TLR agonists with VaxInnate's innovative vaccine technology has the potential for increasing the effectiveness of vaccines," said Dr. Mark Tomai, PhD, Vaccine Business Development Director, 3M Drug Delivery Systems.

"The combination of VaxInnate's proprietary vaccine technology with 3M's TLR agonists could improve vaccine potency and make a major contribution to global public health," said Alan Shaw PhD, VaxInnate CEO. "We look forward to this collaboration with 3M." About 3M Drug Delivery Systems Immune Response Modifiers 3M Drug Delivery Systems has a portfolio of patent protected toll-like receptor TLR7 and TLR8 agonists that have shown promise as vaccine adjuvants. There are a variety of assets in the portfolio that can be used topically, admixed or in conjugatable form. The lead candidate, resiquimod (TLR7/8 agonist) has shown promising results in a number of animal models and has an extensive toxicology and clinical data package to support further development as a vaccine adjuvant.

In addition, 3M offers other TLR7 and TLR8 agonists, some of which can be attached to various proteins that enhances vaccine efficacy in a number of models. As small molecules, 3M's TLR7 and TLR8 agonists offer unique advantages over other TLR agonists with regards to delivery and manufacturing. 3M is actively seeking partners to license these assets on a non-exclusive basis. For more information contact Dr. Mark Tomai, Head of Vaccine Business Development, [e-mail] or go to www.3m.com/dds.

About 3M Health Care 3M Health Care, one of 3M's six major business segments, provides world-class innovative products and services to help health care professionals improve the practice, delivery and outcome of patient care in medical, oral care, drug delivery and health information markets. For more information, visit www.3M.com.

3M is a trademark of 3M Company.

About VaxInnate VaxInnate is a privately-held biotechnology company in Cranbury, NJ that is pioneering breakthrough technology for use in developing novel and proprietary vaccines. VaxInnate's technology has the potential to dramatically improve the potency, manufacturing capacity and cost-effectiveness of vaccines.

VaxInnate's first vaccines focus on infectious diseases, including seasonal and pandemic flu, malaria, dengue, human papillomavirus and respiratory syncytial virus. In 2008 and 2009, VaxInnate generated positive Phase 1 clinical data for its first two vaccines, a universal flu vaccine and a seasonal flu vaccine. For more information about VaxInnate, please visit http://www.vaxinnate.com.

SOURCE: 3M CONTACT: 3M Drug Delivery Systems Michael Gugala, 612-342-9604 [e-mail] Copyright Business Wire 2009 -0- KEYWORD: United States

North America

Minnesota

New Jersey INDUSTRY KEYWORD: Health

Biotechnology

Pharmaceutical SUBJECT CODE: Contract/Agreement

Product/Service