Sutro Biopharma, Vaxcyte in development option grant deal for cell-free extract

Sutro Biopharma (STRO) and Vaxcyte (PCVX) jointly announced an option grant agreement through which Vaxcyte acquired an option to access expanded rights to develop and manufacture cell-free extract, among other rights. This agreement is an expansion of a nearly decade-long relationship between Sutro and Vaxcyte, during which Sutro has been responsible for supplying Vaxcyte with extract, a key material used to develop Vaxcyte’s cell-free vaccine candidates. "For the first time, Sutro has granted one of its partners for its licensed products rights to expand oversight and control related to the manufacture and development of cell-free extract," said Bill Newell, Sutro’s Chief Executive Officer. "Vaxcyte recently announced positive topline data for its 24-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine , VAX-24 and we are thrilled to see this successful outcome given the important role of the XpressCF cell-free protein synthesis platform in the development of VAX-24. This agreement provides Vaxcyte certain rights today with future optionality to further expand use of the cell-free platform for the development of all its vaccine products. It also underscores the value of Sutro’s platform technology and the importance of cell-free extract as an essential element in the creation of novel therapies and vaccines for our own proprietary assets and for our partners’ programs." "We are pleased to expand our relationship with Sutro, as their cell-free protein synthesis platform has broad potential in the development of our current pipeline of innovative vaccines as well as early-stage and future programs," said Grant Pickering, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Vaxcyte. "As we continue to advance VAX-24, our lead PCV candidate, this new agreement will enable us to obtain direct oversight and control of the manufacturing of the cell-free extract for our products and provides additional flexibility going forward. Sutro continues to be a valued partner and this agreement is an exciting step in our long-lasting collaboration."