AstraZeneca to Acquire Vaccine Maker Icosavax in $1.1 Billion Deal

AstraZeneca has announced plans to acquire Seattle-based Icosavax, a clinical-stage biopharm focused on developing vaccines using a protein virus-like particle (VLP) platform. The proposed acquisition, valued at up to $1.1 billion, will build on AstraZeneca’s expertise in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), strengthening AstraZeneca’s late-stage pipeline with Icosavax’s lead investigational vaccine candidate, IVX-A12, a potential first-in-class, Phase III-ready, combination protein VLP vaccine which targets both RSV and human metapneumovirus (hMPV). There are currently no treatments or preventative therapies for hMPV and no combination vaccines for RSV.

RSV is a common, contagious virus that is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infection in adults. Most adult RSV disease cases occur among older adults, with an estimated 60,000-160,000 hospitalizations and 6,000-10,000 deaths annually among US adults aged 65 and older.

hMPV causes disease very similar to RSV, including upper and lower respiratory tract infections that can be more severe in young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Adults with hMPV infection may have viral pneumonia, worsening asthma, or COPD symptoms. Data support similar morbidity and mortality for hMPV and RSV. There are currently no treatment or prevention options for hMPV.

As VLP vaccines mimic how naturally occurring viruses appear to the body’s immune system, they may offer potential benefits over non-VLP vaccines, including a stronger immune response, greater breadth of protection, greater durability requiring fewer boosters and, compared to the current adjuvanted RSV vaccine, a lower incidence of side effects.

Alongside Icosavax’s proprietary technology and leadership in protein design, the acquisition is expected to also bring their expertise and capabilities in protein virus-like particle science and development to AstraZeneca to support the progression of IVX-A12 and other differentiated VLP vaccines for high-burden respiratory infections. (Source: AstraZeneca Website, 12 December, 2023)