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Vicebio

Biotech & Life Sciences · London, United Kingdom · Founded 2019

Vicebio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops multi-pathogen vaccines for respiratory viral infections. The company was founded by the investment firm Medicxi in 2019 and is headquartered in London, UK. On July 22, 2025, Sanofi announced it would acquire Vicebio for an upfront payment of $1.15 billion, with up to $450 million in additional milestone payments. The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025. At the core of Vicebio's work is its proprietary Molecular Clamp technology, which was developed at The University of Queensland by Professors Paul Young, Daniel Watterson, and Keith Chappell. Vicebio acquired the exclusive license to this technology from UniQuest, the university's commercialization arm. The Molecular Clamp technology is a protein tag that stabilizes complex viral proteins in their optimal "prefusion" conformation, the state before they infect a cell. This stabilization elicits a strong protective immune response and simplifies the manufacturing process, allowing for the development of ready-to-use, fully liquid vaccines that can be stored at standard refrigerated temperatures. The company's business model focuses on leveraging its platform technology to develop a pipeline of multivalent vaccines, which protect against multiple pathogens in a single shot. Its lead product candidate is VXB-241, a bivalent vaccine targeting both Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV). These viruses are a significant cause of respiratory illness, particularly in older adults and the immunocompromised. Vicebio initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial for VXB-241 in September 2024, with initial data expected by mid-2025. The pipeline also includes VXB-251, a preclinical trivalent vaccine candidate targeting RSV, hMPV, and Parainfluenza Virus 3 (PIV3). The company's technology is applicable to a wide range of other viruses, including influenza and coronaviruses. Vicebio's CEO is Emmanuel Hanon, who previously spent 20 years at GSK, where he was the global head of R&D at GSK Vaccines and oversaw the development of major vaccines for shingles and influenza. The leadership team also includes one of the technology's inventors, Professor Keith Chappell, as Principal Scientist. The company has secured significant funding to advance its clinical programs, including a $100 million Series B financing round in September 2024, led by TCGX and including investors such as Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Avoro Ventures, and venBio Partners. Keywords: respiratory vaccines, Molecular Clamp technology, multivalent vaccines, biopharmaceutical, clinical-stage, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV), Parainfluenza Virus, prefusion conformation, vaccine development, Sanofi acquisition, viral glycoproteins, liquid formulations, infectious diseases, vaccinology, Emmanuel Hanon, University of Queensland, Medicxi, TCGX, VXB-241