MimiVax
MimiVax is a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company spun out of Roswell Park in 2012 developing SurVaxM, a first-in-class survivin-targeting peptide vaccine immunotherapy evaluated across glioblastoma, neuroendocrine tumors, multiple myeloma, and pediatric brain tumors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersBuffalo, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What MimiVax does
MimiVax is a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in 2012 as a spin-off from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York. The company develops immunotherapeutic vaccines and targeted therapies designed to control tumor growth and prevent recurrence, with its entire pipeline built on the licensed Roswell Park survivin-targeting platform. Its lead asset, SurVaxM, is a first-in-class, patented peptide mimic immunogen administered subcutaneously (with Montanide ISA 51 emulsion and sargramostim/GM-CSF) that stimulates both CD8+ T-cell and antibody-mediated anti-tumor responses against survivin, a cell-survival protein expressed in approximately 95% of glioblastomas and roughly 52% of neuroendocrine tumors. SurVaxM is being evaluated across multiple indications: newly diagnosed glioblastoma (Phase 2b SURVIVE, fully enrolled with positive interim), recurrent glioblastoma in combination with Merck's pembrolizumab, multiple myeloma with Celgene/BMS's lenalidomide, metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (Phase 2 launched May 2026), and pediatric high-grade gliomas.
MimiVax has no commercial product on the market. Revenue mechanics to date consist of a single $10M upfront payment from the November 2019 China-exclusive licensing agreement with Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Industrial Development (which also carries up to $138M in development and sales milestones), plus cumulative equity and venture-philanthropy capital of approximately $25M from Buffalo Capital Partners, Varia Ventures, Fosun Pharma, the Brain Tumor Investment Fund / National Brain Tumor Society, the Sontag Foundation / Sontag Innovation Fund, MEDA Angels (part of Tech Coast Angels), the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, and private investors. SurVaxM has been granted FDA Orphan Drug Designation (Aug 2017), Fast Track Designation for newly diagnosed glioblastoma (Oct 2023), and Supplemental Orphan Drug Designation for malignant gliomas (May 2024), providing 7 years of U.S. market exclusivity post-approval and Priority Review eligibility. The go-to-market model is a hybrid of geographic out-licensing (ex-U.S.), pharma partnership-sponsored combination trials (Merck, Celgene/BMS), and planned direct commercialization in retained territories once approved.
MimiVax firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MimiVax
- Legal name
- MimiVax, Inc.
- Website
- https://mimivax.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- MimiVax is a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company spun out of Roswell Park in 2012 developing SurVaxM, a first-in-class survivin-targeting peptide vaccine immunotherapy evaluated across glioblastoma, neuroendocrine tumors, multiple myeloma, and pediatric brain tumors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MimiVax industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Oncology Biologics
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Therapeutic Vaccines (cancer, chronic infection immunotherapy) (HLAAAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Vaccine Technology Platforms (mRNA, viral vector, protein subunit, inactivated/live-attenuated, VLP, DNA) (HLAAAEAD), Therapeutic Vaccines (e.g., Cancer/Chronic Infection) (HLAIAEAG)
Keywords
Where MimiVax is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Buffalo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MimiVax business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Out-licensing upfront and milestone payments: Geographic out-licensing of SurVaxM regional rights. China-exclusive license to Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Industrial Development includes a $10 million USD upfront payment plus up to $28 million in development milestones and up to $110 million in sales milestones.
- Private equity / venture capital / angel investment: Pre-revenue clinical-stage biotech funded by approximately $25 million raised to date from venture philanthropy funds (Brain Tumor Investment Fund, Sontag Innovation Fund), venture capital (Varia Ventures), angel networks (MEDA Angels, Tech Coast Angels), pharma (Fosun Pharma), foundations (Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, American Cancer Society), and private investors. Funds directed at clinical development and registration.
- Charitable donations and philanthropy: Donations to Roswell Park Alliance Foundation (e.g., through Empire State Ride, Ride for Roswell) provide critical seed funding for early-phase SurVaxM research and clinical studies.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | — | Pre-commercial / quote-based partnership model |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
MimiVax product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MimiVax is a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing SurVaxM, a first-in-class peptide mimic immunotherapeutic vaccine that targets the survivin cell-survival protein expressed in approximately 95% of glioblastomas and many other cancers. The vaccine is delivered via subcutaneous injection with adjuvants to stimulate the patient's own T-cell and antibody-mediated immune response against survivin-expressing tumor cells. The company is evaluating SurVaxM across multiple cancer indications (newly diagnosed glioblastoma, recurrent glioblastoma, metastatic neuroendocrine tumors, multiple myeloma, and pediatric high-grade gliomas) and licenses regional commercialization rights to pharma partners such as Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical.
Product overview
MimiVax offers a single-product clinical pipeline centered on its lead immunotherapeutic vaccine candidate SurVaxM, a first-in-class peptide mimic immunogen targeting the survivin cell-survival protein. Rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture, MimiVax's offering is a unified survivin-targeting immunotherapy platform in which the same SurVaxM candidate is being evaluated across multiple cancer indications (glioblastoma, multiple myeloma, neuroendocrine tumors, and pediatric brain tumors) and in combination with different standard-of-care agents such as temozolomide, REVLIMID (lenalidomide), and Keytruda (pembrolizumab). The company's broader portfolio consists of additional survivin-based immunotherapeutics (e.g., MV2C2 antibody program for myasthenia gravis) developed on technology licensed from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. SurVaxM holds FDA Fast Track Designation for newly diagnosed glioblastoma and FDA Orphan Drug Designations for glioblastoma and malignant glioma, and is supported by a manufacturing partnership with UI Pharmaceuticals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SurVaxM SurVaxM is a first-in-class, patented peptide mimic immunotherapeutic vaccine that targets survivin, a cell-survival protein present in approximately 95% of glioblastomas and many other cancers. It is administered via subcutaneous injection with Montanide ISA 51 emulsion and sargramostim (GM-CSF) adjuvant and stimulates both CD8+ T-cell immunity and antibody-mediated anti-tumor responses. It is being evaluated in newly diagnosed glioblastoma (Phase 2b SURVIVE), recurrent glioblastoma (Phase 2 in combination with pembrolizumab), metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (Phase 2), multiple myeloma (Phase 1 in combination with lenalidomide/REVLIMID), and pediatric relapsed/recurrent high-grade gliomas (Phase 1). SurVaxM is intended for oncology indications with limited treatment options, including both hematologic and solid tumors.
Quantifiable outcome
- 51% of nGBM patients receiving SurVaxM survived at least 2 years and 41% survived at least 3 years (Phase 2a)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use MimiVax
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
MimiVax technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
MimiVax partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core — clinical and commercial manufacturing partner, flagship — largest single financing event and primary ex-u.s. commercialization route, flagship — founding institution and primary clinical research partner, minor — combination-therapy partner for multiple myeloma indication, minor — combination-therapy partner for recurrent gbm indication, core — multi-center clinical trial lead pi site, core — multi-center clinical trial site and minor — phase 2a trial site.
- UI Pharmaceuticals (University of Iowa College of Pharmacy)core — clinical and commercial manufacturing partnerContract drug product development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that successfully completed clinical manufacture of SurVaxM at its newly qualified $26M sterile manufacturing facility. SurVaxM is the first drug product produced in UIP's new facility; UIP will support larger clinical and commercial lots. Over 50 years of CDMO experience.
- Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Industrial Development Co. Ltd. (Fosun Pharma)flagship — largest single financing event and primary ex-u.s. commercialization routeChina-exclusive licensing agreement for SurVaxM to clinically develop and commercialize the therapy in specified territories in China. MimiVax received a $10 million USD upfront payment and is eligible for up to $28 million in development milestones and up to $110 million in sales milestones. Fosun Pharma handles clinical, regulatory, and commercial pathways for China. Fosun Pharma is a leading Chinese healthcare group listed on Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges.
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Centerflagship — founding institution and primary clinical research partnerFounding partner from which MimiVax was spun off in 2012. Roswell Park originated the SurVaxM technology, hosts central trial sites, conducts Phase 1/2 NET and pediatric trials, and provides ongoing clinical collaboration. Co-investigator institution with Dr. Robert Fenstermaker (Chair Emeritus of Neurosurgery, co-founder) and Dr. Michael Ciesielski (CEO and co-founder).
- Celgene Corp. (Bristol Myers Squibb)minor — combination-therapy partner for multiple myeloma indicationRoswell Park partnered with Celgene Corp. (manufacturer of REVLIMID/lenalidomide) on Phase 1 clinical trial of SurVaxM in combination with REVLIMID for multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma trial fully enrolled.
- Merck (Keytruda)minor — combination-therapy partner for recurrent gbm indicationPartnered with Merck for evaluation of SurVaxM in combination with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for recurrent glioblastoma; trial fully enrolled.
- Miami Cancer Institute (Baptist Health South Florida)core — multi-center clinical trial lead pi sitePhase 2a and Phase 2b SURVIVE trial site under PI Dr. Manmeet Ahluwalia, MD, MBA (Fernandez Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Cancer Research; Chief of Medical Oncology, Deputy Director and Chief Scientific Officer at Miami Cancer Institute).
- Cleveland Cliniccore — multi-center clinical trial sitePhase 2a trial site for SurVaxM in newly diagnosed glioblastoma; Phase 2b SURVIVE trial site. Contributes to clinical evidence base.
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institutecore — multi-center clinical trial sitePhase 2a trial site for SurVaxM in nGBM; Phase 2b SURVIVE trial site. Co-author institution on Phase 2a manuscript.
- Massachusetts General Hospitalcore — multi-center clinical trial sitePhase 2a trial site for SurVaxM in newly diagnosed glioblastoma; co-author institution on Phase 2a manuscript.
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centerminor — phase 2a trial sitePhase 2a trial site for SurVaxM in newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MimiVax competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Northwest Biotherapeutics: Clinical-stage developer of DCVax-L, a dendritic cell-based therapeutic vaccine for glioblastoma. Direct competitor in the GBM immunotherapy space and the most analogous single-indication therapeutic cancer vaccine company in oncology.
- Istari Oncology: Clinical-stage biotech developing PVSRIPO, a polio virus-based immunotherapy for recurrent glioblastoma. Closely comparable in target indication (GBM) and clinical-stage development profile to MimiVax.
- Gritstone bio: Clinical-stage developer of neoantigen-based therapeutic cancer vaccines (SLATE, GRANITE) in oncology. Directly comparable as a single-platform therapeutic cancer vaccine company with multiple indication programs.
- Nykode Therapeutics: Clinical-stage Norwegian biotech developing the Vaccibody DNA-based therapeutic vaccine platform, with lead oncology programs in HPV-driven cancers. Comparable as a therapeutic cancer vaccine developer with a modular platform.
- Achilles Therapeutics: Clinical-stage developer of personalized neoantigen cancer vaccines (using cNeT and PELEUS platforms) for non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma. Comparable as a clinical-stage therapeutic cancer vaccine company targeting tumor-specific antigens.
- Agenus: Clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing PROSTVAC and other therapeutic cancer vaccines, plus immune checkpoint antibodies. Comparable in therapeutic cancer vaccine focus and combination-immunotherapy strategy.
Broad incumbents
- Novocure: Commercial-stage oncology company with Optune/TTFields, an FDA-approved therapy for newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma. Operates in the same patient population as MimiVax and represents the standard-of-care alternative in GBM.
- Moderna: Commercial-stage biotech with an mRNA-based personalized cancer vaccine program (mRNA-4157/V940, partnered with Merck) and a broader oncology pipeline. Comparable as a leading therapeutic cancer vaccine developer with significantly greater resources and platform breadth.
- BioNTech: Commercial-stage biotech (BNT122/BNT121, FixVac) developing mRNA-based and neoantigen-based therapeutic cancer vaccines. Comparable in therapeutic cancer vaccine modality and multi-indication platform strategy, though at significantly greater scale.
- Merck: Large pharma partner of MimiVax in the recurrent GBM trial evaluating SurVaxM in combination with pembrolizumab (Keytruda). Operates broadly in oncology and is a potential acquirer or strategic partner for the company.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MimiVax social profiles
Digital presenceMimiVax financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MimiVax leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
MimiVax funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MimiVax 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 MimiVax
What does MimiVax do?
MimiVax is a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing SurVaxM, a first-in-class peptide mimic immunotherapeutic vaccine that targets the survivin cell-survival protein expressed in approximately 95% of glioblastomas and many other cancers. The vaccine is delivered via subcutaneous injection with adjuvants to stimulate the patient's own T-cell and antibody-mediated immune response against survivin-expressing tumor cells. The company is evaluating SurVaxM across multiple cancer indications (newly diagnosed glioblastoma, recurrent glioblastoma, metastatic neuroendocrine tumors, multiple myeloma, and pediatric high-grade gliomas) and licenses regional commercialization rights to pharma partners such as Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical.
Is MimiVax a public or private company?
MimiVax is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was MimiVax founded?
MimiVax was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is MimiVax based?
MimiVax is headquartered in Buffalo, United States, in the North America region.
How does MimiVax make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Out-licensing upfront and milestone payments are the primary driver. The others are private equity / venture capital / angel investment and charitable donations and philanthropy.
Who are MimiVax's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Northwest Biotherapeutics, Istari Oncology, Gritstone bio, Nykode Therapeutics, Achilles Therapeutics and Agenus. Broad incumbents are Novocure, Moderna, BioNTech and Merck.
Does MimiVax have an API?
No public API is recorded for MimiVax.
What industry is MimiVax in?
MimiVax's product category is Oncology Biologics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAEAB, Therapeutic Vaccines (cancer, chronic infection immunotherapy), with a secondary code of HLAAAEAD, Vaccine Technology Platforms (mRNA, viral vector, protein subunit, inactivated/live-attenuated, VLP, DNA). Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.