Amyris completes 1st major license for RNA COVID vaccine

In California, Amyris, Inc. signed an exclusive license with Nant Africa, LLC relating to the development and use of the RNA COVID vaccine Amyris developed in coordination with the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI). Amyris’ partnership with Nant Africa is of significant value to Amyris as it provides the fastest path to market for the Amyris and IDRI RNA technology.

The license and collaboration with Nant Africa is expected to generate several million dollars in near term upfront and milestone payments, and also includes long term royalties for the use of the Amyris and IDRI technology on the African continent. The license includes the funding of human clinical trials, which upon successful completion are expected to be followed by the production and scaling of the vaccine in South Africa with a target of reaching patients by the end of this year.

Amyris’ partnership with Nant Africa is of significant value to Amyris as it provides the fastest path to market for the Amyris and IDRI RNA technology. Pre-clinical data has demonstrated that this RNA Vaccine technology generates comparable immunity to the currently authorized RNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, without the need for cold chain logistics and with a production cost that is estimated to be around 10X lower. This RNA platform is positioned to make potent, safe and durable COVID vaccines available to all people and not just wealthy countries. Amyris continues to hold options to license exclusive use of this RNA technology for selected oncology and other target therapies.