CRUCELL AWARDED EU GRANT TO DEVELOP MALARIA VACCINE

Dutch biotechnology company Crucell announced that it has received a grant aimed at advancing the development of a malaria vaccine. The grant, worth 2.4 million euros, was awarded by the European Union (EU) to a Crucell-led consortium of six leading universities and companies in the field of malaria research, according to the company. The funding will finance preclinical studies toward an affordable two-component pediatric malaria vaccine.

"The grant will go a long way toward streamlining Crucell's focus on the fundamental global needs for a much-needed malaria vaccine," Jaap Goudsmit, Crucell's chief scientific officer, said.

Crucell is focused on research, development and worldwide marketing of vaccines and antibodies that prevent and treat infectious diseases. The company's core portfolio currently includes a vaccine against hepatitis B, a fully liquid vaccine against five childhood diseases and a virosome-adjuvanted vaccine against influenza.

Several of the company's products are based on its PER.C6 vaccine production technology, a cell line developed for the large-scale manufacture of biopharmaceutical products.