Meiji Seika Pharma has announced a strategic investment in Centivax to accelerate the development of next-generation vaccines designed to provide broad, long-lasting protection against infectious diseases.
Centivax is developing a universal vaccine platform aimed at targeting conserved regions of pathogens, enabling protection across multiple strains and subtypes. Its lead candidate, Centi-Flu 01, is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials and is designed to provide consistent immunity against both seasonal and pandemic influenza without requiring annual updates.
The investment from Meiji Seika Pharma is intended to support the advancement of Centi-Flu 01 while also expanding Centivax’s broader pipeline, which includes programs spanning Alzheimer’s disease prevention, oncology treatments, malaria vaccines, and a universal antivenom.
Unlike conventional influenza vaccines that must be reformulated each year, Centivax’s approach focuses on immune responses to viral regions that do not mutate, aiming to deliver durable and wide-ranging protection. The platform leverages computational immune engineering to address diverse disease targets and improve long-term health outcomes.
The collaboration reflects Meiji’s broader strategy to invest in innovative technologies and global partnerships that strengthen infectious disease preparedness and expand therapeutic capabilities.
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“We are excited to support Centivax as they work toward a future where vaccines no longer need seasonal updating. Their universal immunity platform represents a promising direction for global infectious-disease preparedness and aligns with Meiji’s mission to improve public health through innovation.”
Toshiaki Nagasato, President And Representative Director, Meiji Seika Pharma
“We are honored to partner with Meiji and deeply appreciate their confidence in our work. Japan has long been a global leader in scientific excellence and public health and these priorities closely align with our mission to develop broadly protective vaccines that can improve resilience against infectious diseases. Meiji’s long-standing leadership in healthcare, combined with their thoughtful and collaborative approach, makes them an exceptional partner as we work together to advance next-generation solutions for influenza and beyond. We look forward to building a lasting partnership that contributes meaningfully to patients in Japan and around the world.”
Jacob Glanville, CEO, Centivax
