Centivax
Centivax is a clinical-stage biotechnology company using a patented epitope-focusing vaccine platform to develop broad-spectrum vaccines, with lead candidate Centi-Flu 01 (universal flu) in Phase 1A trials and follow-on programs in cancer, malaria, antivenom, and Alzheimer's prevention.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersSouth San Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Centivax does
Centivax, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company headquartered in South San Francisco, California, developing broad-spectrum vaccines and immunotherapies using its patented epitope-focusing technology (WO2013177214A2). The platform directs immune responses against conserved, mutation-resistant regions of pathogens, theoretically enabling single-vaccine protection across multiple strains or species of rapidly mutating or polymorphic targets such as influenza, HIV, coronaviruses, dengue, and Zika. The lead clinical asset, Centi-Flu 01, is a pan-influenza universal flu vaccine currently in a Phase 1A first-in-human trial (initiated February 2026) and scheduled to enter Phase 2 in early 2027; the company is also advancing four follow-on programs in broad cancer therapy, malaria, universal antivenom, and Alzheimer's prevention toward manufacturing and clinical readiness using a scalable, cell-free GMP manufacturing process targeted for deployment in 2026.
The company is pre-revenue and generates no commercial product sales today. Its expected future revenue model is built on three pillars: (1) direct commercialization of approved vaccines, (2) out-licensing of platform and pipeline assets to established pharmaceutical players, and (3) strategic co-development partnerships. The most material commercial pathway established to date is the strategic investment and co-development relationship with Meiji Seika Pharma, whose parent group holds the leading influenza vaccine market share in Japan, providing a near-term distribution and co-commercialization route into Japanese and broader Asian markets. Centivax is also supported by non-dilutive capital from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Grand Challenge: End the Pandemic Threat), CEPI, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Military Infectious Diseases Research Program, the NIH, and the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, reflecting a public-sector and global health buyer base that will be central to early revenue and procurement pathways.
The company is led by founder, CEO and President Dr. Jacob Glanville, alongside co-founder and Chief Science Officer Dr. Sawsan Youssef. Cumulative disclosed equity-like funding is approximately $92 million across a $10M seed (November 2022, NFX and GHIC), $45M Series A (July 2025, Future Ventures), and $37M financing (March 2026, Structure Fund), supplemented by roughly $30.2M in non-dilutive grants and contracts from government and global-health funders. Centivax's target customer segments span the global seasonal influenza vaccine market (greater than $7 billion annual), government and global health agencies for pandemic preparedness, snakebite-endemic populations in developing countries (via the antivenom program), and broader oncology and neurology therapy markets.
Centivax firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Centivax
- Legal name
- Centivax, Inc.
- Website
- https://centivax.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Centivax is a clinical-stage biotechnology company using a patented epitope-focusing vaccine platform to develop broad-spectrum vaccines, with lead candidate Centi-Flu 01 (universal flu) in Phase 1A trials and follow-on programs in cancer, malaria, antivenom, and Alzheimer's prevention.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Centivax industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vaccines
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Prophylactic Human Vaccines (routine, pediatric, adult) (HLAAAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Infectious Disease & Pandemic Preparedness Vaccines (emerging pathogens) (HLAAAEAC), Adult Vaccines (HLAIAEAB), Pandemic Preparedness & Rapid-Response Vaccines (HLAIAEAF), Vaccine Technology Platforms (mRNA, viral vector, protein subunit, inactivated/live-attenuated, VLP, DNA) (HLAAAEAD)
Keywords
Where Centivax is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- South San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Centivax business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Future vaccine product sales / licensing: Pre-revenue clinical-stage biotechnology company. First asset in GMP with proof-of-concept achieved; future revenue expected to be generated from commercial vaccine sales, licensing, and/or partnerships once candidates (e.g., Centi-Flu 01) reach approval and commercialization.
- Strategic partnership and licensing arrangements: Strategic investments and collaborations with established pharmaceutical players such as Meiji Seika Pharma represent a near-term partnership/licensing revenue pathway aligned with Meiji's mission to advance global health through cross-border collaborations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | — | Not publicly disclosed — clinical-stage biotech, pre-revenue |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Centivax product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Centivax develops broad-spectrum vaccines and immunotherapies using its patented epitope-focusing technology that directs the immune response against conserved, non-mutating regions of pathogens. The lead asset is Centi-Flu 01, a pan-influenza universal vaccine currently in Phase 1A clinical trials, with four additional follow-on programs in cancer, malaria, universal antivenom, and Alzheimer's prevention. Manufacturing is enabled through a scalable, cell-free GMP process targeted for deployment by 2026.
Product overview
Centivax is a clinical-stage biotechnology company offering a single integrated R&D platform, the Centivax Epitope-Focusing Vaccine Platform, from which multiple pipeline assets are being developed. The platform's lead clinical product is Centi-Flu 01, a universal pan-influenza vaccine currently in Phase 1A trials and preparing for Phase 2 in early 2027. Layered on top of the same platform are four follow-on clinical candidates — a broad cancer therapy, a malaria vaccine, a universal antivenom, and an Alzheimer's preventative — being progressed to manufacturing and clinical readiness. Manufacturing is enabled through a scalable, cell-free GMP process being deployed by 2026.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Centi-Flu 01: Centivax's lead pan-influenza universal flu vaccine candidate, in Phase 1A clinical trials.
Products and services
- Centi-Flu 01 Pan-influenza universal flu vaccine candidate designed to deliver broad and durable protection against multiple influenza strains by targeting conserved, non-mutable regions of the virus. Advancing through Phase 1A (initiated Feb 2026) toward Phase 2 trials scheduled for early 2027, supported by a Gates Foundation Grand Challenge grant.
- Universal Antivenom Program
- Broad Cancer Therapy Program Broad cancer immunotherapy candidate within Centivax's follow-on immunity portfolio, advanced to manufacturing and clinical readiness using the company's cell-free, scalable manufacturing platform.
- Malaria Vaccine Program Malaria vaccine candidate within Centivax's follow-on immunity portfolio, supported for advancement to clinical readiness as part of the $37 million financing round.
- Alzheimer's Preventative Program Preventative Alzheimer's program within Centivax's follow-on immunity portfolio, being advanced toward manufacturing and clinical readiness.
Quantifiable outcome
- Greater than $7 billion global flu vaccine market opportunity
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Centivax
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Centivax technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Centivax partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd.flagshipStrategic investor in the $37M round and a co-development partner for the universal vaccine platform. Meiji Seika Pharma's parent group holds the leading influenza vaccine market share in Japan, providing both capital and a commercial/manufacturing pathway for Centi-Flu 01 in Japan and broader Asian markets. The partnership is explicitly described as cross-border collaboration to advance global health.
- Bill and Melinda Gates FoundationflagshipThrough its Grand Challenges program (Grand Challenge: End the Pandemic Threat), the Gates Foundation awarded Centivax a grant supporting development of its universal influenza vaccine. The foundation is both a capital and a strategic validation partner for the universal flu program.
- Tim FriedecoreWisconsin-based herpetologist who has voluntarily subjected himself to over 200 snakebites over nearly two decades to build broad immunity. His antibody response is being used by Centivax to develop a universal antivenom moving toward clinical trials.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Centivax competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BiondVax Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage biotech that pursued a universal flu vaccine (M-001) and reported a failed Phase 3 readout. Most directly comparable to Centivax as a universal flu vaccine pure-play, illustrating both the opportunity and the historical technical risk in this space.
- Vaccitech (Barinthus Bio): Clinical-stage immunotherapy company (formerly Vaccitech) developing T-cell vaccines for infectious disease and oncology. Comparable to Centivax as a platform-based, clinical-stage vaccine developer with broad infectious disease ambitions.
- FluGen: Clinical-stage vaccine company developing a universal influenza vaccine (M2SR). Directly comparable to Centivax as a clinical-stage universal flu vaccine developer using a differentiated platform approach.
Broad incumbents
- BioNTech: mRNA-based immunotherapy company with infectious disease and oncology vaccine programs. Comparable to Centivax as a platform-driven vaccine developer with broad-spectrum ambitions, though at much larger scale and with commercial COVID-19 revenue.
- CSL Seqirus: Major global influenza vaccine manufacturer with mRNA and cell-based flu programs including a partnership with Arcturus. Directly comparable to Centivax in the universal / next-generation flu vaccine race, with established global distribution.
- Sanofi Pasteur: One of the largest flu vaccine manufacturers globally with active universal and improved flu vaccine efforts. Comparable to Centivax in the universal flu target indication but operates as a broad incumbent with established commercial infrastructure.
- CureVac: mRNA-based vaccine developer with broad infectious disease and oncology pipeline. Comparable to Centivax as a platform-based vaccine company targeting rapidly mutating viruses, though with deeper funding and partnerships.
- Moderna: mRNA vaccine platform company with active programs in seasonal and pandemic influenza as well as a broad infectious disease pipeline. Directly comparable to Centivax as a platform-based vaccine developer targeting rapid mutating viruses, but with far greater capital, manufacturing, and commercial scale.
- Novavax: Recombinant nanoparticle vaccine platform company with a commercial COVID-19 vaccine and flu pipeline. Comparable to Centivax as a platform-based vaccine developer, though at a much later commercialization stage.
Emerging players
- VBI Vaccines: Clinical-stage vaccine company with a virus-like particle platform targeting infectious disease and immuno-oncology. Comparable to Centivax as a clinical-stage, platform-driven vaccine developer with multiple pipeline assets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Centivax social profiles
Digital presenceCentivax financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Centivax leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Centivax funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors18 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Centivax M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Centivax
What does Centivax do?
Centivax develops broad-spectrum vaccines and immunotherapies using its patented epitope-focusing technology that directs the immune response against conserved, non-mutating regions of pathogens. The lead asset is Centi-Flu 01, a pan-influenza universal vaccine currently in Phase 1A clinical trials, with four additional follow-on programs in cancer, malaria, universal antivenom, and Alzheimer's prevention. Manufacturing is enabled through a scalable, cell-free GMP process targeted for deployment by 2026.
Is Centivax a public or private company?
Centivax is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Centivax founded?
Centivax was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Centivax based?
Centivax is headquartered in South San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Centivax make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Future vaccine product sales / licensing is the primary driver. The others are strategic partnership and licensing arrangements.
Who are Centivax's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BiondVax Pharmaceuticals, Vaccitech (Barinthus Bio) and FluGen. Broad incumbents are BioNTech, CSL Seqirus, Sanofi Pasteur, CureVac, Moderna and Novavax. VBI Vaccines is listed as an emerging player.
Does Centivax have an API?
No public API is recorded for Centivax.
What industry is Centivax in?
Centivax's product category is Vaccines. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAEAA, Prophylactic Human Vaccines (routine, pediatric, adult), with a secondary code of HLAAAEAC, Infectious Disease & Pandemic Preparedness Vaccines (emerging pathogens). Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.