Combined single-shot formulation pairs GC Flu with Osivax candidate to trigger dual B- and T-cell immunity; deal secures exclusive domestic rights and global supply chain; nano-platform backed by 4,000-person trials targets 30 trillion won market by 2034

Green Cross headquarters [Green Cross]
Green Cross headquarters [Green Cross]

Green Cross has teamed up with French biotech firm Osivax to develop a next-generation combination influenza vaccine designed to provide broad, long-lasting protection against a wide range of flu virus variants.

Green Cross announced Friday that it had signed a strategic partnership agreement with Osivax for the development and commercialization of a next-generation flu vaccine.

Under the deal, the two companies will combine Green Cross's quadrivalent flu vaccine GC Flu — which holds World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification certification — with Osivax's type-A influenza vaccine candidate OVX836 into a single-injection premium combination vaccine.

The combination vaccine applies a "dual immunity" mechanism: GC Flu induces B-cell antibody responses targeting hemagglutinin (HA), the surface antigen of the virus, while OVX836 triggers a robust T-cell immune response against the nucleoprotein (NP), an internal viral protein that mutates less frequently. The vaccine is designed to overcome the limitations of conventional vaccines, which focus on highly mutable surface antigens, and to protect against not only seasonal influenza strains but also novel emerging variants.

OVX836, Osivax's lead pipeline asset, is a first-in-class candidate built on a proprietary self-assembling nanoparticle platform called oligoDOM. It has accumulated safety, immunogenicity and efficacy data through seven global clinical trials involving more than 4,000 participants.

Green Cross will grant Osivax a non-exclusive license to use GC Flu in exchange for exclusive rights to commercialize the combination vaccine in South Korea. Green Cross also secured long-term supply rights for finished-dose GC Flu bulk antigen and tiered royalties tied to sales upon future global commercialization, diversifying its revenue streams. Osivax will oversee global development and international commercialization of the vaccine.

The collaboration is seen as laying the groundwork for a universal vaccine that addresses the unmet need created by conventional flu shots — which require annual strain updates — while extending the global supply chain of a proven domestic vaccine into advanced markets and generating a stable royalty income stream.

According to market research firm Fortune Business Insights, the global influenza vaccine market is projected to grow sharply from $9.2 billion in 2025 to $22.5 billion by 2034.

"Collaboration between companies with scientific expertise is essential for developing next-generation flu vaccines," said Heo Eun-cheol, chief executive of Green Cross. "We will work with Osivax to develop a combination vaccine that addresses the unmet needs of existing immunization programs, strengthen our domestic position and continue expanding into major advanced markets."

Alexandre Le Vert, chief executive of Osivax, said the partnership was "a pivotal opportunity to combine Osivax's T-cell-focused technology with Green Cross's accumulated vaccine development and production capabilities," adding that the two companies would "lead the global next-generation vaccine market by leveraging each other's strengths."


silverpaper@heraldcorp.com