MISSION
Gamma Vaccines is an early stage company developing innovative technology to produce broad spectrum vaccines against a variety of human and animal viruses, in order to reduce disease burden and reduce the risk of pandemic outbreaks.
Gamma Vaccines’ proprietary technology was invented by leading researchers from The Australian National University’s John Curtin School of Medical Research and The University of Adelaide’s School of Biological Sciences. Based on this technology, Gamma Vaccines was formed in July 2009, with an initial focus on developing a cross-protective influenza virus vaccine, GammaFlu®, designed to replace current seasonal flu vaccines. Gamma Vaccines subsequently attracted significant equity investments from Australian & US investors and was awarded numerous grants from the Commonwealth Government of Australia.
It was recognised that the technology can also be used to develop broad spectrum bacterial vaccines, and to pursue this Gamma Vaccines spun out a sister company (GPN Vaccine Ltd) in 2017 to focus on preventable bacterial pathogens. GPN is currently finalising Phase I clinical trials for a gamma-irradiated pneumococcal vaccine.
Gamma Vaccines is now pursuing a portfolio of viral vaccines, based on new intellectual property. Our primary product, GammFlu, is aimed at providing a viable alternative to seasonal flu, and also holds the prospect of being able to be stockpiled for use as an immediate first response to any new influenza pandemic. Other vaccines in development target unmet needs in human diseases (Chikungunya) and animal health impacts.
Seasonal flu infections, in humans, causes around 500,000 deaths and 3 – 5 million cases per year of severe illness worldwide, with potentially much higher severity for pandemic infection. Seasonal influenza is the annual epidemic of influenza that is passed from human to human and is highly variable from year to year. Pandemic influenza arises from a new influenza strain, often from swine or birds, which enters the human population as zoonotic infections.
Gamma Vaccines is targeting both the seasonal and pandemic flu markets, currently estimated to be over US$7 billion and expected to be around US$18 billion by 2032 [1].
In addition to humans, animals especially poultry are particularly susceptible to “avian” strains of influenza viruses. Globally, there are over 30 billion broilers, almost 5 billion egg layers and unknown (but large) numbers of breeder chickens. The current poultry flu vaccine market is estimated to be around US$125 million and expected to reach US$200 million by 2029.[2]
In addition, the Newcastle Disease virus (NDV) market for poultry is around US$350million and expected to reach US$450 million by 2032.[3]
Gamma Vaccines aims to develop highly effective broad-spectrum vaccines suitable for co-administration targeting both bird Flu and NDV.
Chikungunya: The medical and economic burden of CHIKV infection is expected to grow substantially in the coming years, doubling from US$ 264 million in 2022 to US$ 500 million by 2032.
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