A&O Shearman Advised GSK On mRNA Vaccine Licensing Agreement

A&O Shearman Advised GSK On mRNA Vaccine Licensing Agreement

A&O Shearman Advised GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in a significant licensing agreement focused on mRNA vaccines for influenza and COVID-19.

Under the terms of the restructuring, GSK has secured full rights to develop, manufacture, and globally commercialize mRNA candidate vaccines for influenza and COVID-19, including potential combination vaccines. This agreement marks a strategic evolution of GSK's ongoing collaboration with CureVac, initiated in 2020 to advance mRNA vaccines targeting infectious diseases. Currently, GSK and CureVac have vaccine candidates for seasonal influenza in phase 2 development, COVID-19 in phase 2, and avian influenza in phase 1 trials.

Nigel Parker, IP Partner at A&O Shearman, commented, “This transaction demonstrates our ability to assemble a cross-jurisdictional, sector-focused team, involving specialists from the UK, Belgium, and Germany. It was a privilege to support GSK in this pivotal endeavor.”

Amy Altshul, General Counsel & SVP at GSK, added, “The collaboration between GSK and A&O Shearman was seamless, culminating in the successful execution of this important licensing agreement.”

With full control over development, manufacturing, and global commercialization, GSK strengthens its commitment to advancing vaccine platform technologies tailored for optimal efficacy against specific pathogens.

As part of the agreement, CureVac will receive an upfront payment of EUR 400 million, with additional payments contingent upon achieving development, regulatory, and sales-related milestones, including tiered royalties. The completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including antitrust and regulatory approvals.

This transaction further solidifies A&O Shearman's longstanding partnership with GSK, having advised on numerous strategic transactions over the years, enhancing GSK's leadership position in the global biopharmaceutical industry.

Led by Nigel Parker and senior associate Megan McMellon, the A&O Shearman team played a crucial role in navigating the legal intricacies of the agreement.

The GSK legal team was led by General Counsel & SVP, R&D, Global Commercial Strategy, Business/Corporate Dev and Corporate Legal Amy Altshul, with support of Ben Millson, Susan Chiappinelli and Sophie Racine.

The A&O Shearman team also included IP Partners Mark Ridgway, Gemma Barrett, Rafi Allos, Jens Matthes and Peter Van Dyck, as well as a broader team including Harriet Ravenscroft, David Winters, Stephen Beckett, Tine Carmeliet, Fabienne Marshall and Bella Gropper.