GlaxoSmithKline to Market Smoking Vaccine

Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has closed a deal to license and market the NicVAx antismoking vaccine developed by Nabi Pharmaceuticals, the Associated Press reported March 9.

The vaccine, which is still under development, works by creating antibodies that bind to nicotine molecules in the body and prevent them from entering the brain. The deal will see Nabi receive a $40-million upfront payment from GlaxoSmithKline and could potentially be worth more than $500 million.

GlaxoSmithKline also will work on developing the next generation version of the vaccine.