Affinivax

Biotechnology company that developed next-generation vaccines using proprietary MAPS (Multiple Antigen Presenting System) technology. Acquired by GSK in 2022 for $3.3 billion.

Location
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Founded
2014
Categories
biotech, vaccines, infectious-disease, acquired

Notes

Affinivax was a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation vaccines for infectious diseases. The company's proprietary MAPS (Multiple Antigen Presenting System) technology platform enabled the creation of vaccines that could generate both antibody and T cell-mediated immune responses.

Acquired by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in June 2022 for $3.3 billion ($2.1 billion upfront plus up to $1.2 billion in milestone payments). The acquisition provided GSK with the MAPS technology platform and AFX3772, a pneumococcal vaccine candidate in Phase 2 development.

Team

  • Steven Brugger - Co-founder & Former CEO
  • Richard Malley, M.D. - Co-founder & Chief Scientific Advisor (Boston Children's Hospital)
  • Yingda Xu, Ph.D. - Former Chief Scientific Officer

Additional Research Findings

  • MAPS technology platform combines polysaccharide and protein antigens
  • Lead candidate AFX3772 targeted 24 pneumococcal serotypes
  • Technology licensed from Boston Children's Hospital
  • Raised over $200 million before acquisition
  • GSK acquisition aimed to strengthen pneumococcal vaccine portfolio
  • Technology now integrated into GSK Vaccines R&D pipeline
  • MAPS platform being applied to multiple vaccine development programs

Sources