Aeras, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing tuberculosis (TB) vaccines and biologics, is partnering with China National Biotec Group (CNBG) on a program centered on new TB vaccines. The partnership will involve multiple research institutes that operate under CNBG working with Aeras to develop, manufacture, and distribute affordable TB vaccines for use globally.
Through the deal Aeras will license its recombinant BCG (rBCG) platform and other technologies to CNBG, and the collaborators will use the platform, in combination with other technologies provided by both partners, to develop more effective an longer-lasting TB vaccine candidates.
“The synergy created by bringing together our scientific and manufacturing expertise could have a substantial impact on efforts to advance innovative candidates in TB vaccine development,” comments Jim Connolly, Aeras president and CEO. “We look forward to working with the largest biotech corporation in the country with the skills, resources, and TB disease burden to play a major role in overcoming the complex challenges of TB vaccine R&D."