South San Francisco, CA – July 8, 2025 – Despite a tough funding climate for vaccine development, Centivax has successfully raised $45 million in Series A financing to advance its experimental universal mRNA flu vaccine. The company plans to begin human trials next year for its innovative shot, which is designed to provide broader and longer-lasting protection.
Centivax’s vaccine incorporates 22 different mRNA molecules encoding proteins from diverse flu strains spanning the last century. This unique approach aims to direct the immune system to target conserved “Achilles’ heel” regions of the virus, rather than rapidly mutating surface proteins. CEO Jacob Glanville believes this could make the shot “the vaccine” of choice.
The funding round was led by Future Ventures and included NFX and BOLD Capital Partners, among others. Investors expressed confidence, undeterred by broader industry funding challenges or political skepticism surrounding mRNA vaccines.
Preclinical data in various animal models suggest the vaccine spurs broad immunity against multiple flu strains. Centivax’s ambitious plan targets potential accelerated approval and market launch by early 2029, aiming for a total development cost of roughly $200 million and a significant market impact.
Source:
https://endpoints.news/startup-raises-45m-for-universal-flu-vaccines-made-with-mrna/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=linkedin
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