Temasek Life Sciences Ventures Pte Ltd (TLV) and Emergent BioSolutions Inc. today announced their agreement to form EPIC BIO Pte Ltd, a joint venture to develop, manufacture, and commercialize a multivalent, cross-protective human vaccine to protect against influenza caused by a broad range of circulating H5 influenza strains. The broad spectrum pandemic flu vaccine is expected to be based on multiple antigens held by TLV and to be delivered as a single vaccine using Emergent’s MVAtor™ vaccine delivery platform. Completion of this joint venture is expected in the next few weeks. The joint venture plans to initiate clinical manufacturing of the broad spectrum H5 vaccine candidate in 2011, with the clinical trial scheduled to begin in 2012.

In addition to the H5 vaccine, the joint venture will develop monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of pandemic H5 influenza using TLV’s monoclonal technology. It is anticipated that the monoclonal antibody candidate will offer broad protection against most circulating H5 influenza strains and will limit the ability of the virus to mutate and escape therapy.

“This joint venture will bring additional breadth and depth to Emergent’s product pipeline that will enable us to further our company mission – to protect life,” said Daniel J. Abdun-Nabi, president and chief operating officer of Emergent BioSolutions. “EPIC BIO’s viability and success will be anchored on TLV’s extensive experience in cutting-edge research combined with Emergent’s core competencies in product development, manufacturing, and commercialization.”

“We are pleased to form EPIC BIO with Emergent BioSolutions, an organization focused on biologics that have a positive impact on public health,” said Peter Chia, chief executive officer of TLV. “The complementary strengths of our organizations will allow us to accelerate efforts to develop and commercialize much needed pandemic influenza vaccines and therapeutics.”