GPN Vaccines
GPN Vaccines is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing Gamma-PN, a whole-cell pneumococcal vaccine designed to provide serotype-independent protection against all Streptococcus pneumoniae strains. The vaccine uses gamma-irradiated, modified bacterial strains that target conserved protein antigens, potentially eliminating the need for reformulation as new serotypes emerge. The company has completed four Phase 1 clinical studies demonstrating safety and immunogenicity, with immune responses persisting for at least 12 months.
- Biotechnology
- Drug Discovery & Therapeutics
- Healthcare Technology
Funding
Raised to date
$27.8MRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
across 5 rounds
BBKCMG$10M · Undisclosed
Announced Nov 2026 · from article date
Disclosed cumulative: $27.8M
Founders
Product
Problem
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of pneumonia, bacteraemia, meningitis, and otitis media, causing 1-2 million deaths annually worldwide. Existing vaccines only protect against a limited number of the more than 100 known serotypes, and serotype replacement—where non-vaccine strains emerge—undermines their long-term effectiveness. This leaves vulnerable populations, including children and older adults, at continued risk of severe pneumococcal disease.
Solution
GPN Vaccines is developing Gamma-PN, a whole-cell pneumococcal vaccine designed to provide serotype-independent protection against all S. pneumoniae strains. The vaccine uses proprietary bacterial strains that are grown in a regulated manufacturing facility and inactivated via gamma irradiation, a process that preserves the delicate structure of surface proteins essential for inducing an effective immune response. By targeting protein antigens common across pneumococcal strains rather than the variable capsule, the vaccine aims to be future-proof against emerging serotypes without requiring reformulation. The company has completed four Phase 1 clinical studies demonstrating safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity, including antibody responses persisting for at least 12 months, and is preparing to advance into a multinational Phase 2 trial.
Target Audience
Primary target populations are children and older adults at high risk of pneumococcal disease, including those with compromised immune systems. The company also engages clinical trial participants aged 50-69 years for its ongoing vaccine studies.
Features
- Whole-cell vaccine platform using gamma-irradiated, modified bacterial strains that require no adjuvant
- Serotype-independent design targeting conserved protein antigens beneath the bacterial capsule, providing broad protection against current and emerging strains
- Gamma irradiation inactivation method that preserves the native structure of bacterial surface proteins for enhanced immunogenicity
- Completed four Phase 1 clinical studies showing safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity in older adults, with immune responses persisting at least 12 months
- Vaccine-induced antibodies demonstrated to facilitate killing of multiple pneumococcal serotypes in laboratory opsonophagocytic assays
- Pipeline expansion includes Gamma-SU, an investigational vaccine against Streptococcus suis in pigs, supporting application of the platform beyond pneumococcal disease