• Minervax

  Participated · Equity · Dec 2022

  MinervaX is advancing a prophylactic vaccine against Group B Streptococcus (GBS) based on research from Lund University. Its candidate is a protein-only vaccine composed of fusions of highly immunogenic and protective protein domains from selected surface proteins of GBS (the Alpha-like protein family), distinct from traditional capsular polysaccharide (CPS) conjugate approaches. The company has reported Phase II data suggesting superior efficacy compared with other GBS vaccine candidates. MinervaX intends to use the fresh financing to support commencement of a Phase III clinical trial of its maternal vaccine. The company was established in 2010 and is led by CEO Per Fischer. It is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. MinervaX is a Copenhagen-based biotechnology company led by CEO Per Fischer developing a prophylactic vaccine against Group B Streptococcus (GBS) for maternal immunization. Its vaccine approach is based on fusions of highly immunogenic and protective protein domains from selected surface proteins of GBS (the Alpha-like protein family) and derives from research at Lund University. The company intends to use the new funding to advance late-stage development of its GBS vaccine candidate in preparation for a Phase 3 clinical trial. Financially, MinervaX raised a total of €72M in the announced financing, comprising a €22M equity round and a €50M loan facility. The €22M equity round was led by Trill Impact Ventures and Pureos Bioventures with participation from REPAIR Impact Fund, Sunstone Life Science Ventures, LF Investment, Wellington Partners, Sanofi Ventures, Adjuvant Capital and Industrifonden. Bita Sehat of Trill Impact Ventures and Veronica Gambillara of Pureos Bioventures will join MinervaX's board as part of the transaction. MinervaX is developing GBS-NN, a maternal vaccine based on two surface proteins (Rib and AlphaC) intended to prevent Group B streptococcus infections in newborns and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Early clinical data indicate subsequent doses raise antibody levels above expected protective thresholds, including in participants with low baseline antibodies. The company completed phase 1 studies in 300 healthy females and has begun a phase 2 program, with the first five subjects dosed in South Africa. The new funding will allow MinervaX to complete phase 2 trials and prepare for phase 3, including midstage trials in the U.S. and Europe. Management highlights a large potential market—WHO estimates ~100 million women will require the vaccine globally and a potential commercial market of about $1 billion annually. MinervaX positions its protein-based approach in contrast to capsular polysaccharide (CPS) conjugate vaccines, which have shown poorer performance in individuals with low pre-existing antibody levels. The company frames the vaccine as a way to reduce reliance on intravenous antibiotics, which are costly and can drive antimicrobial resistance. MinervaX is developing a protein-only GBS vaccine for maternal immunization, based on fusions of immunogenic and protective protein domains from selected surface proteins of GBS (the Alpha-like protein family). The company’s vaccine is positioned as likely to have superior characteristics compared with other GBS vaccine candidates that use traditional capsular polysaccharide conjugate technology. MinervaX is advancing therapies to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and is focused on preventing life-threatening infections in newborns by vaccinating pregnant women. The company plans to use recent funds to finalize Phase I development of its protein-only GBS vaccine. MinervaX was established in 2010 and is led by CEO Per Fischer, D.Phil. Its work is based on research from Lund University.

No current team members are available.