Osivax and GC Biopharma partner on broader flu vaccine

Why it matters: Seasonal flu vaccines must be reformulated regularly because the proteins they target continue to evolve. Osivax wants to add broader T-cell immunity to the strain-specific antibody protection of an existing flu shot. 

How it works: Current flu vaccines such as GC FLU train the immune system to recognize parts of the virus that change regularly. OVX836 targets nucleoprotein (NP), a part of influenza A that changes much less. The approach aims to provide protection across different strains.

Backstory: In a phase 2a trial, OVX836 was co-administered with GSK’s Fluarix Tetra. Results showed that the combination was well tolerated and generated hemagglutinin (HA) and NP immune responses.

Zoom in: Osivax will lead development of the new vaccine and commercialize it outside South Korea and Japan, while GC Biopharma will supply GC FLU and keep rights in its home market. The companies did not disclose financial terms.

The competitive landscape: No universal influenza vaccine has reached the market yet, but some candidates are currently in the clinic.

• FluMos-v2: The U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)’s mosaic nanoparticle displays HA from six influenza strains to generate broader antibody responses. A 30-person phase 1 trial was completed in November 2025, but results have not yet been reported. A second phase 1 study is testing FluMos-v2 with and without an adjuvant.
• fH1/DSP-0546LP: Sumitomo Pharma is testing an influenza antigen with its TLR7 adjuvant DSP-0546. The company reported cross-reactive immune responses in an interim analysis of its phase 1 study in February.
• Centi-Flu 01: Centivax began testing its mRNA-based flu vaccine in humans in February. The phase 1 trial is enrolling 180 participants, with initial data expected later this year.

Reality check: M-001, BiondVax’s attempt at a broad influenza vaccine, reached phase 3 but failed to significantly reduce influenza illness compared to placebo.

What to watch: Osivax completed enrollment of 2,850 people in the phase 2b efficacy study of OVX836 in December 2025 and said topline results were expected by mid-2026, but data have not been posted yet.