Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic pathogen classified by the World Health Organization as a priority disease due to its epidemic potential, high case fatality rates, and the absence of approved vaccines or specific treatments. Infection can cause severe respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis, with reported case fatality rates historically ranging from approximately 40 percent to 75 percent depending on outbreak conditions and access to clinical care.

Nipah virus outbreaks have occurred intermittently for many years, particularly in parts of India and Bangladesh. In recent weeks, confirmed cases have again been reported in India’s West Bengal and Kerala states. In response, health authorities have implemented containment measures including isolation of affected individuals, extensive contact tracing, quarantine of close contacts, strengthened infection-control protocols in healthcare settings, and domestic travel advisories. Beyond India, several Asian countries including Thailand, Nepal, and Taiwan have introduced enhanced health screening at international airports and border crossings for travellers arriving from affected regions, reflecting heightened regional vigilance.

Northway Biotech was selected as ExpreS2ion’s manufacturing partner based on its established familiarity with ExpreS2ion’s recombinant protein vaccine platform, including successful execution of a closely related ExpreS2ion-led vaccine program within defined timelines. The selection builds on a well-established working relationship between the two organizations across development, manufacturing, and quality functions. Manufacturing activities for the Nipah program are planned to commence in Q1 2026 and target completion by the end of 2026. The CDMO selection represents a key operational milestone in preparing the program for cGMP manufacture and subsequent development activities.

Bent U. Frandsen, CEO of ExpreS2ion, commented:
“The re-emergence of Nipah outbreaks highlights the ongoing risk posed by this virus and the importance of advancing vaccine preparedness. Selecting a CDMO with direct experience in our platform is a key preparatory step for the Nipah vaccine program, and Northway’s familiarity with our processes and our established collaboration supports efficient execution as we move toward manufacturing. The program is one of several initiatives within ExpreS2ion’s broader vaccine portfolio, leveraging the company’s ExpreS2 platform across multiple infectious disease indications.”

Wian de Jongh, CEO of AdaptVac, commented: “Recent Nipah outbreaks once again highlight the urgent need for effective preventive measures against this deadly virus. The progression of our capsid virus-like particle technology toward manufacturing readiness marks an important milestone for the Nipah program. By integrating complementary platforms, we are advancing the translation of our scientific results into a vaccine candidate ready for clinical development, with the potential to contribute meaningfully to outbreak prevention.”

About the VICI-Disease program
The Nipah vaccine program is conducted within the EU-funded Horizon Europe “VICI-Disease” consortium, coordinated by the University of Copenhagen (UCPH). The consortium comprises ExpreS2ion, AdaptVac, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Radboud university medical center (RUMC), and UCPH, with NIH/NIAID as a named subcontractor and PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research and Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) as associated participants. The consortium combines ExpreS2ion’s ExpreS2 production platform with AdaptVac’s capsid virus-like particle (cVLP) technology and complementary vaccine development expertise to advance a Nipah virus vaccine candidate toward clinical proof-of-concept. The VICI-Disease program supports the development of a Nipah virus vaccine candidate through preclinical development and Phase I clinical evaluation.

About ExpreS2ion
ExpreS2ion is a biotechnology company that develops innovative vaccines for a healthier world. We want to transform healthcare by developing novel vaccines, that are life-saving and improving quality of life across the world. ExpreS2ion has developed the unique human clinical Phase III-validated technology platform, ExpreS2™, for fast and efficient development and production of the active material in vaccines. The platform, under the brand GlycoX-S2™, includes functionally modified glycosylation variants for enhanced immunogenicity and pharmacokinetics. Since 2010, ExpreS2ion has produced more than 500 proteins and virus-like particles (VLPs) in collaboration with leading research institutions and companies. ExpreS2ion develops novel VLP based vaccines in association with AdaptVac ApS, of which ExpreS2ion owns 34%. For additional information, please visit www.expres2ionbio.com.

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For further information about ExpreS2ion, please contact:
Bent U. Frandsen, CEO
Keith Alexander, CFO
Email: investor@expres2ionbio.com

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