Corixa (company)

Defunct biotechnology company

File:Corixa logo.gif

Logo of Corixa Corporation

Corixa Corporation was a biotechnology company based in the United States, primarily focused on the development of immunotherapeutics and vaccines for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases. The company was founded in 1994 and was headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

History

Corixa was established with the aim of leveraging the immune system to combat various diseases. The company quickly became known for its innovative approach to immunotherapy and vaccine development. In 2005, Corixa was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline, a major pharmaceutical company, which integrated Corixa's technologies and products into its own research and development pipeline.

Products and Technologies

Corixa developed several key products and technologies during its operation. These included:

• Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL): A derivative of lipopolysaccharide used as an adjuvant in vaccines to enhance the immune response.
• Antigen discovery technologies: Corixa utilized proprietary technologies to identify and develop novel antigens for use in vaccines and immunotherapies.
• Therapeutic vaccines: The company focused on creating vaccines that could treat existing diseases by stimulating the body's immune system to target and destroy diseased cells.

Acquisition by GlaxoSmithKline

In 2005, Corixa was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for approximately $300 million. This acquisition allowed GSK to incorporate Corixa's adjuvant technologies, particularly MPL, into its own vaccine development programs. The acquisition marked the end of Corixa as an independent entity, but its technologies continued to influence the field of immunotherapy and vaccine development.

Legacy

Corixa's contributions to the field of biotechnology, particularly in the area of immunotherapy, have had a lasting impact. The company's work on adjuvants and antigen discovery has been integrated into various vaccine platforms, contributing to advancements in the treatment and prevention of diseases.

Related pages

• Immunotherapy
• Vaccine
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Biotechnology