ExpreS2ion
ExpreS2ion is a clinical-stage Danish biotechnology company developing active immunotherapies, including a HER2-targeted breast cancer vaccine in Phase I trials and partnered malaria and influenza vaccine programs, using its proprietary ExpreS2 insect-cell protein expression platform.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersHørsholm, Denmark
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ExpreS2ion does
ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies ApS is a clinical-stage biotechnology company headquartered in Hørsholm, Denmark, with a Swedish holding entity listed on NASDAQ First North Growth Market Sweden (ticker: EXPRS). Founded in 2010, the company develops active immunotherapies and biologic drug candidates based on its proprietary ExpreS2 protein expression platform, which uses engineered Drosophila Schneider-2 (S2) insect cells to produce complex recombinant proteins with a reported historical success rate above 90% across more than 500 proteins expressed. Supporting technologies include GlycoX-S2 for glyco-engineering and access to virus-like particle (VLP) antigen delivery through a 34% stake in AdaptVac ApS.
The company's lead proprietary asset is ES2B-C001, a HER2-VLP-based active immunotherapy for HER2-positive breast cancer currently in Phase I clinical trials at the Medical University of Vienna, designed to induce a polyclonal antibody response across all four HER2 extracellular domains. The partnered pipeline includes malaria vaccines RH5.1 and R78C licensed to the Serum Institute of India, a universal mucosal influenza vaccine program with the University of Copenhagen funded by Innovation Fund Denmark, and a Nipah virus vaccine program.
ExpreS2ion generates revenue through licensing and milestone payments (e.g., the Serum Institute agreement), CRO services offering ExpreS2-based protein expression to external clients, and recurring capital raises via rights issues and warrant exercises to fund clinical development. Customer concentration is driven primarily by a small number of large pharmaceutical partners and academic collaborations.
ExpreS2ion firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ExpreS2ion
- Legal name
- ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies ApS
- Website
- https://expres2ionbio.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ExpreS2ion is a clinical-stage Danish biotechnology company developing active immunotherapies, including a HER2-targeted breast cancer vaccine in Phase I trials and partnered malaria and influenza vaccine programs, using its proprietary ExpreS2 insect-cell protein expression platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ExpreS2ion industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biotechnology Vaccines and Immunotherapies
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Recombinant Protein Therapeutics (enzymes, hormones, growth factors) (HLAAAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Immunology & Autoimmune Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAB)
Keywords
Where ExpreS2ion is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hørsholm
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
ExpreS2ion business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Licensing and Milestone Payments: ExpreS2ion generates revenue through upfront payments, development and regulatory milestones, and commercial royalties from licensing agreements. The definitive licensing agreement with Serum Institute of India for malaria vaccines RH5.1 and R78C includes upfront, milestone, and royalty payments.
- Warrant and Equity Exercises: The company raises capital through warrant exercises (TO 11 exercises at approximately 88.5% conversion rate raising SEK 10.4 million) and directed issues to guarantors totaling approximately SEK 11.8 million.
- Rights Issues: Capital raises through rights issues of units, such as the approximately SEK 60 million rights issue announced in May 2024 (subject to AGM approval) and the SEK 53 million rights issue approved in April 2026.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
ExpreS2ion product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ExpreS2ion is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops active immunotherapies and biologic drug candidates using its proprietary ExpreS2 protein expression platform based on engineered Drosophila Schneider-2 insect cells. Its lead candidate ES2B-C001 is a HER2-VLP cancer immunotherapy in Phase I clinical trials, and the company also advances partnered vaccine programs in malaria, influenza, and Nipah virus, while offering CRO protein expression services to other biotech and pharma clients.
Product overview
ExpreS2ion is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a portfolio of active immunotherapies and biologic drug candidates based on its proprietary ExpreS2 protein expression platform. The company's core technology is the ExpreS2 platform, an insect cell-based protein expression system used to produce complex proteins. The lead proprietary product is ES2B-C001, a HER2-VLP-based breast cancer vaccine in Phase I clinical development. The partnered pipeline includes malaria vaccines (RH5.1 and R78C) developed with Serum Institute of India, a universal influenza vaccine program with University of Copenhagen, and a Nipah virus vaccine program with consortium partners. The company also provides CRO services for external protein expression needs and owns 34% of AdaptVac, which provides VLP platform technology. Supporting technologies include GlycoX-S2 for glyco-engineering capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ExpreS2 Protein Expression Platform Proprietary protein expression system based on engineered Drosophila Schneider-2 (S2) cells used to produce complex recombinant proteins for therapeutic, immunology-based, and research applications. Licensed to strategic partners including the Serum Institute of India.
- ES2B-C001 HER2-VLP-based active immunotherapy candidate combining ExpreS2-produced HER2 antigens with a virus-like particle delivery system, designed to stimulate a broad polyclonal antibody response targeting all four extracellular domains of the HER2 receptor. Initially targeted at HER2-positive metastatic or locally advanced inoperable breast cancer. Currently in Phase I clinical development.
- RH5.1 Malaria Vaccine Blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate targeting the RH5-CyRPA-RIPR invasion complex of Plasmodium falciparum, developed and to be commercialized in partnership with the Serum Institute of India.
- R78C Malaria Vaccine Multi-stage malaria vaccine candidate targeting different stages of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, developed in partnership with the Serum Institute of India.
- Universal Mucosal Influenza Vaccine Program Universal mucosal vaccine program for influenza combining ExpreS2ion's protein production system with advanced vaccine platforms, developed in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen and funded by Innovation Fund Denmark.
- Nipah Virus Vaccine Program Vaccine program for Nipah virus developed with leading academic and consortium partners.
- CRO Services Contract research organization services offering protein expression using the ExpreS2 platform for complex, disulfide-rich, or heavily glycosylated proteins, from feasibility studies to g-scale preclinical batches. Engagement models include fee-for-service, project-based campaigns, and licensing options.
Quantifiable outcome
- Phase I trial DSMB recommendation to progress to next dose cohort after safety review
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use ExpreS2ion
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ExpreS2ion technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
ExpreS2ion partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Serum Institute of IndiacoreExpreS2ion and Serum Institute of India entered a definitive licensing agreement to develop and commercialize two malaria vaccines, RH5.1 and R78C, leveraging ExpreS2ion's proprietary ExpreS2 technology. The vaccines target the blood stage of the malaria parasite. The deal includes upfront, milestone, and royalty payments. The collaboration aims to accelerate access to innovative malaria vaccines with broad health impacts worldwide.
- University of CopenhagencoreExpreS2ion received a grant from Innovation Fund Denmark for a 5-year project to develop universal mucosal vaccines in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen. The project combines ExpreS2ion's protein production system with advanced vaccine platforms to create a vaccine capable of inducing immune responses against influenza.
- AdaptVac ApScoreExpreS2ion owns 34% of AdaptVac, a biotechnology company co-founded with NextGen Vaccines in 2017. AdaptVac developed a cutting-edge virus-like particle (VLP) technology used as an antigen delivery vehicle. This ownership stake leverages synergies between platforms and provides ExpreS2ion access to VLP technology for its immunotherapy candidates.
- University of OxfordcoreAcademic partner in malaria vaccine research, collaborating on the development of RH5.1 and R78C malaria vaccine candidates. Oxford provides vaccine research expertise and the partnership leverages ExpreS2ion's manufacturing capabilities.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ExpreS2ion competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BioNTech: Clinical-stage biotech developing mRNA-based immunotherapies across oncology and infectious diseases. Comparable to ExpreS2ion in dual oncology/infectious disease pipeline focus and platform-based vaccine development, though BioNTech's mRNA platform differs from ExpreS2's recombinant protein approach.
- Novavax: Recombinant protein nanoparticle vaccine developer, including for infectious diseases. Most directly comparable to ExpreS2ion in its use of recombinant protein technology for VLP/nanoparticle vaccine design, with similar technology-platform economics.
- Bavarian Nordic: Nordic-headquartered vaccine company developing infectious disease and oncology immunotherapies. Comparable to ExpreS2ion in clinical-stage vaccine pipeline, regional proximity, and similar size and revenue profile.
- Valneva: Specialty vaccine company focused on travel and infectious diseases, including late-stage programs. Comparable to ExpreS2ion in clinical-stage vaccine pipeline targeting infectious diseases with platform-based development.
- Vaccibody: Norwegian clinical-stage biotech developing immunotherapies based on its proprietary vaccine platform for cancer and infectious diseases. Closely comparable in size, stage, therapeutic focus, and Nordic origin.
Broad incumbents
- Moderna: Large-cap mRNA vaccine developer with broad infectious disease and oncology pipeline. Comparable to ExpreS2ion in active immunotherapy development, with much greater scale and commercialization capability.
Emerging players
- CureVac: Clinical-stage mRNA vaccine developer with oncology and infectious disease pipeline. Comparable in scale and stage to ExpreS2ion, with overlapping infectious disease focus though using a different (mRNA) technology platform.
- Immatics: Clinical-stage biotech developing T-cell receptor-based immunotherapies for cancer. Comparable to ExpreS2ion in clinical-stage oncology immunotherapy focus, though with a distinct cellular-therapy rather than vaccine approach.
- Cevec Pharmaceuticals: Specialized protein expression platform company providing manufacturing technology for biologics and vaccines. Comparable to ExpreS2ion in its positioning as a recombinant protein expression platform provider to vaccine developers.
Others
- AdaptVac: VLP technology company in which ExpreS2ion owns a 34% stake. Provides the virus-like particle platform used in ExpreS2ion's lead HER2 cancer vaccine and other pipeline candidates.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ExpreS2ion social profiles
Digital presenceExpreS2ion financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ExpreS2ion leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
ExpreS2ion subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
ExpreS2ion funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds15 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ExpreS2ion 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 ExpreS2ion
What does ExpreS2ion do?
ExpreS2ion is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops active immunotherapies and biologic drug candidates using its proprietary ExpreS2 protein expression platform based on engineered Drosophila Schneider-2 insect cells. Its lead candidate ES2B-C001 is a HER2-VLP cancer immunotherapy in Phase I clinical trials, and the company also advances partnered vaccine programs in malaria, influenza, and Nipah virus, while offering CRO protein expression services to other biotech and pharma clients.
Is ExpreS2ion a public or private company?
ExpreS2ion is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was ExpreS2ion founded?
ExpreS2ion was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ExpreS2ion based?
ExpreS2ion is headquartered in Hørsholm, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does ExpreS2ion make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Licensing and Milestone Payments are the primary driver. The others are warrant and Equity Exercises and rights Issues.
Who are ExpreS2ion's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BioNTech, Novavax, Bavarian Nordic, Valneva and Vaccibody. Moderna is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are CureVac, Immatics and Cevec Pharmaceuticals. AdaptVac is listed as an others.
Does ExpreS2ion have an API?
No public API is recorded for ExpreS2ion.
What industry is ExpreS2ion in?
ExpreS2ion's product category is Biotechnology Vaccines and Immunotherapies. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAAAB, Recombinant Protein Therapeutics (enzymes, hormones, growth factors), with a secondary code of HLAIACAB, Immunology & Autoimmune Specialty Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.