GSK Spies Pfizer Challenge With $2.1bn Vaccine Company Acquisition

First Vaccine M&A Deal For Departing Barron

GSK has spotted an opportunity to challenge Pfizer’s blockbuster Prevnar franchise, but the potential of Affinivax’s platform has yet to be proven.

GSK vaccines
GSK has a blockbuster in Shingrix, but needs to invest more widely to retain its leading status in vaccines. • Source: Shutterstock

GSK is to acquire US vaccine company Affinivax for an upfront payment of $2.1bn and $1.2bn in potential development milestones, to obtain a promising new vaccine technology and a next-generation pneumococcal vaccine candidate.

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