As an update to our previous report, Biocon Biologics Ltd. (a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd.) announced the successful completion of the transition of the acquired biosimilars business in approximately 120 countries, a year ahead of schedule.
On December 18, 2023, IAVI, a global nonprofit scientific research organization, and Spanish biopharmaceutical company Biofabri, a subsidiary of Zendal, announced that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded IAVI $55 million to conduct a Phase IIb trial assessing the safety and efficacy of the tuberculosis (TB) vaccine candidate MTBVAC to prevent active TB lung disease in adolescents and adults. The trial is expected to begin enrolling participants in mid-2024.
On December 12, 2023, AstraZeneca announced it has agreed to acquire Icosavax, Inc., a company that develops vaccines using a protein virus-like particle (VLP) platform. Icosavax says that its lead investigational vaccine candidate is IVX-A12, a combination protein VLP vaccine which targets both RSV and human metapneumovirus (hMPV), two leading causes of severe respiratory infection and hospitalization in adults 60 years of age and older and those with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular, renal and respiratory disease.