AstraZeneca has acquired Omniose, a preclinical biotechnology company based in St. Louis. Omniose now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary within AstraZeneca’s Infectious Disease Unit. The deal follows a three-year exclusive research collaboration between the two companies.
Bioconjugation expertise
AstraZeneca gains Omniose’s proprietary bioconjugation platform through the acquisition. The technology complements AstraZeneca’s existing capabilities in bacterial vaccines and beyond. It will support the company’s preclinical vaccine programs.
Company focus
Omniose develops polysaccharide conjugate vaccines against serious bacterial threats. Its platform attaches virtually any bacterial polysaccharide antigen to engineered carrier proteins. This process happens within a single E. coli cell.
A simpler production method
Conjugate vaccines traditionally require chemical processes to attach bacterial polysaccharides to carrier proteins. Omniose’s bioconjugation approach produces and links these components inside a single cell. The method may offer a simpler and more precise route to conjugate vaccine development.
AstraZeneca expects the platform to strengthen its ability to develop novel vaccines against serious bacterial infections. The company plans to advance the acquired programs and realize the technology’s potential for patients. Omniose’s leadership described the acquisition as a good outcome for both organizations.