MSD Secures Option on EVX-B3

Under the agreement, MSD will assume full responsibility and carry all costs for the further development of the EVX-B3 vaccine. The vaccine is designed to combat pathogens that cause opportunistic, recurrent infections, such as S. aureus, Enterococcus sp., and uropathogenic E. coli. So far, the companies have not disclosed further details, but the vaccine is reportedly without competition.

EVX-B3, currently in preclinical development, aims to address a serious global medical issue, targeting a pathogen associated with repeated infections, increasing incidence and often serious medical complications, and for which no vaccines are currently available. Identified with Evaxion’s AI-Immunology™ platform, EVX-B3 showcases the platform’s unique ability to uncover novel targets that would otherwise remain undiscovered

The cash payment extends Evaxion’s cash runway into the first half of 2027. EVX-B3 was discovered and developed in a collaboration between Evaxion and MSD originally established in September 2023. A year later, the collaboration was expanded through the option and license agreement also covering EVX-B2, a preclinical vaccine candidate against Gonorrhea.

Evaxion and MSD have agreed to extend the evaluation period for EVX-B2 as an amendment to the option and license agreement. The extension follows an expansion of the initial evaluation plan encompassing further experiments. Consequently, a decision on potential in-licensing of EVX-B2 by MSD is now expected in the first half of 2026.

Should MSD exercise the option on EVX-B2, Evaxion will receive a cash payment of US$2.5m