GSK Shifts Focus from Acquired Vaccine to Preclinical Successor Due to Increased Competition

GSK Axes Vaccine:
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has decided to discontinue the development of a pneumococcal vaccine acquired through its $2.1 billion deal with Affinivax, citing increased competition in the market.

Preclinical Successor:
GSK is now focusing on a preclinical successor vaccine that covers more than 30 strains of pneumococcal bacteria, aiming to offer broader protection compared to existing vaccines.

Affinivax Acquisition:
GSK acquired Affinivax in 2022 for $2.1 billion upfront and up to $1.2 billion in potential milestone payments, gaining access to Affinivax’s Multiple-Antigen Presenting System (MAPS) technology.

MAPS Technology:
The MAPS technology allows for the precise binding of polysaccharides to proteins, potentially inducing a broader and more protective immune response against pneumococcal disease.

Market Competition:
The pneumococcal vaccine market is dominated by Pfizer and Merck, with recent FDA approvals of vaccines offering broader protection, leading to increased competition for GSK.