Corixa

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Corixa was a biotechnology company that focused on developing immunotherapeutics to combat autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and cancer. The company was founded in 1994 and was headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

History

Corixa was established by Steven Gillis, who previously co-founded Immunex. The company aimed to leverage the immune system's natural ability to fight diseases by developing innovative therapies. In 2005, Corixa was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a major pharmaceutical company, for approximately $300 million.

Products and Research

Corixa's research primarily focused on the development of vaccines and adjuvants. One of their notable products was the adjuvant Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), which is used to enhance the immune response of vaccines. MPL has been incorporated into several vaccines, including those for human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B.

The company also worked on developing treatments for various types of cancer, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma and melanoma. Their approach often involved the use of antigens to stimulate the body's immune system to target and destroy cancer cells.

Acquisition by GlaxoSmithKline

In 2005, Corixa was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline. This acquisition allowed GSK to integrate Corixa's adjuvant technologies into their vaccine development programs. The acquisition also included Corixa's manufacturing facility in Hamilton, Montana, which produced MPL.

Legacy

Although Corixa no longer exists as an independent entity, its contributions to the field of immunotherapy and vaccine development continue to have a lasting impact. The technologies and products developed by Corixa are still in use today, particularly in the field of vaccine adjuvants.

See also

• Immunotherapy
• Vaccine
• Biotechnology
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Monophosphoryl lipid A