Boehringer Ingelheim Acquires Evax

(CONNECT) Zurich-based Evax AG is now part of Boehringer Ingelheim, according to a press release. Evax, which also has a branch at the Schlieren-Zurich Bio-Technopark and was founded at the University of Zurich, develops vaccines for horses that are used, for example, to treat allergic skin conditions. Evax will be part of the Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health division of the German life sciences company.

“We are very pleased to become part of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and to benefit from its innovative strength, supply capabilities, and commercial expertise as we move forward with the next phases of delivering novel therapeutic options in areas of unmet need for horses,” Dr. Antonia Gabriel, founder and CEO of Evax, is quoted as saying in the press release.

Allergies and skin conditions that are difficult to treat can affect a horse's health. Therapeutic vaccines containing virus-like particles are designed to stimulate the horses' immune systems to produce neutralizing antibodies, thereby treating the underlying cause of the disease. “We are very pleased to potentially be able to offer horse owners the first innovative treatment option for allergic skin conditions that targets the underlying cause of the disease. This could lead to a longer duration of action, better treatment outcomes, as well as greater comfort and improved treatment adherence,” said Saskia Kley, Global Head of Equine at Boehringer Ingelheim. ce/jh