AnGes and Brickell Biotech Announce a Collaboration Agreement for the Development of a Novel DNA Vaccine Candidate for COVID-19 in the U.S.

AnGes, Inc. announced a collaboration agreement with Brickell Biotech, Inc. a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, through which Brickell has the right to develop AnGes’ proprietary investigational adjuvanted plasmid DNA vaccine intended to prevent SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in the U.S., South America and certain emerging markets. AnGes is currently conducting Phase 1/2 clinical studies with its vaccine candidate in Japan, with data readouts expected through the first quarter of 2021. The results from these studies will guide AnGes’ and Brickell’s global development efforts of this novel vaccine candidate.

“We are pleased to enter into this collaboration agreement with Brickell in which we intend to leverage know-how, data and capabilities that Brickell acquired through its merger last year with another vaccine company,” said Ei Yamada, President and Chief Executive Officer of AnGes. “This collaboration also provides the opportunity to expand our vaccine candidate into additional markets outside of Japan.”

Under the terms of this agreement, AnGes will continue to lead the development of its vaccine candidate in Japan and Brickell will provide information and know-how that could be relevant to such development efforts. In exchange for this, Brickell has received the right to develop and, if approved, commercialize AnGes’ DNA vaccine in the U.S. and certain underserved countries.

“We are excited by the opportunity to work with AnGes, a leading vaccine developer in Japan, to potentially bring a COVID-19 vaccine to the U.S. and other countries to help address the global pandemic. AnGes is at the forefront of developing a vaccine for COVID-19 and was the first company in Japan to initiate a COVID-19 vaccine clinical study,” commented Robert Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Brickell. “While Brickell remains firmly focused on initiating its U.S. Phase 3 pivotal program for sofpironium bromide for the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis later this year, we look forward to reviewing AnGes’ clinical study results and then working together with them and the FDA to determine the best path forward.”