Meissa Vaccines
Meissa Vaccines is a San Francisco-based, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing MV-012-968, an intranasal live attenuated vaccine candidate targeting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants, elderly, and immunocompromised populations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Meissa Vaccines does
Meissa Vaccines is a clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in 2014 and headquartered in San Francisco, developing intranasal live attenuated vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The company's lead asset, MV-012-968, is an intranasal live attenuated vaccine candidate that reported favorable Phase 1 safety and immunogenicity results in August 2024, with design emphasis on eliciting mucosal immunity at the site of viral entry as an alternative to injectable RSV vaccines (e.g., Pfizer's Abrysvo). The platform targets three distinct populations: infants and young children, adults aged 60 and older, and immunocompromised individuals, addressing segments that collectively anchor the broader RSV market valued at $1.3 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $3.8 billion by 2034 at a 10.01% CAGR.
The company is privately held with a disclosed headcount range of 11–50 employees and no commercialized products. Its go-to-market model is clinical development toward eventual licensing, partnership, or commercialization — typical of venture-backed single-asset biotechs. Revenue mechanics are not yet established; value creation is contingent on advancing MV-012-968 through subsequent clinical phases and securing a commercial partner or independent launch infrastructure.
Meissa has raised approximately $33.4 million across disclosed funding rounds through September 2019, with the largest being a $30 million Series A led by Morningside Ventures and including MBX Capital. An earlier $3.4 million round in March 2019 and a 2017 founding-era transaction precede it. Leadership is split between a scientific founding team — Martin Moore (Founder) and Roderick Tang (Founder & CSO) — and Frank Glavin as CEO, indicating a separation of commercial and scientific direction consistent with a company transitioning from preclinical to clinical execution.
Meissa Vaccines firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Meissa Vaccines
- Website
- https://meissavaccines.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Meissa Vaccines is a San Francisco-based, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing MV-012-968, an intranasal live attenuated vaccine candidate targeting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants, elderly, and immunocompromised populations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Meissa Vaccines industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vaccines
- NAICS
- Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215), Medical Laboratories (621511)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Prophylactic Human Vaccines (routine, pediatric, adult) (HLAAAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Seasonal & Endemic Vaccines (e.g., Influenza) (HLAIAEAD), Pediatric Vaccines (HLAIAEAA), Adult Vaccines (HLAIAEAB), Pandemic Preparedness & Rapid-Response Vaccines (HLAIAEAF)
Keywords
Where Meissa Vaccines is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Meissa Vaccines business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Others
Meissa Vaccines product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Meissa Vaccines is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing the MV-012-968 intranasal live attenuated vaccine candidate targeting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The vaccine is designed to elicit mucosal immunity at the site of viral entry and has demonstrated favorable Phase 1 clinical trial results. The company is focused on advancing unmet vaccines against viruses that cause serious human diseases, with a pipeline centered on RSV prevention in vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Product overview
Meissa Vaccines is a biotechnology company developing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines. The company's primary product in development is the MV-012-968 intranasal live attenuated vaccine candidate, which recently completed favorable Phase 1 clinical trials. The company is focused on developing preventive vaccines targeting vulnerable populations including infants and the elderly.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MV-012-968
Quantifiable outcome
- Favorable Phase 1 clinical trial results for MV-012-968 vaccine candidate
Companies that use Meissa Vaccines
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Meissa Vaccines technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Meissa Vaccines partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Meissa Vaccines competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Sanofi: Co-developed nirsevimab (Beyfortus) for RSV prevention in infants via passive immunization; shapes the infant RSV prevention landscape where Meissa's mucosal vaccine would compete.
- Janssen (Johnson & Johnson): Developed an adenovirus-based RSV vaccine; represents an alternative vaccine modality competing in the same therapeutic space and illustrating big-pharma engagement in RSV.
- AstraZeneca: Acquired Icosavax and partners on nirseimab/Beyfortus; large-cap pharma with active RSV franchise and a documented strategic appetite for late-stage RSV vaccine assets like Meissa's.
- Moderna: Developed mRNA-1345 (mRESVIA), an approved mRNA-based RSV vaccine; competes in the same RSV indication with substantial manufacturing scale and Phase 3 data, representing the dominant modern RNA approach Meissa's live-attenuated platform must differentiate against.
- Pfizer: Marketed Abrysvo, the first FDA-approved RSV vaccine for older adults and maternal use; sets the efficacy/safety bar and commercialization benchmark for any new RSV entrant including Meissa.
- GSK: Markets Arexvy, a recombinant RSV vaccine approved for older adults; another approved competitor establishing commercial dynamics in the RSV space.
Direct peers
- Icosavax: Clinical-stage biotech developing VLP-based vaccines for RSV (and hMPV); same target indication, comparable clinical stage, similar small-cap biotech profile. Now part of AstraZeneca after acquisition, providing a recent comp for Meissa's strategic exit potential.
- Bavarian Nordic: Develops an MVA-BN-based RSV vaccine candidate; comparable clinical-stage RSV vaccine developer with platform technology and similar late-Phase 1 to Phase 2 profile.
Emerging players
- Codagenix: Clinical-stage biotech developing intranasal live attenuated vaccines for RSV and other respiratory viruses; closest modality peer to Meissa given shared intranasal live-attenuated approach and small-cap profile.
- Blue Lake Biotechnology: Early-stage developer of intranasal live attenuated vaccines including RSV candidates; closely comparable to Meissa by both delivery route (intranasal) and platform (live attenuated).
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Meissa Vaccines social profiles
Digital presenceMeissa Vaccines financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Meissa Vaccines leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Meissa Vaccines funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Meissa Vaccines 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 Meissa Vaccines
What does Meissa Vaccines do?
Meissa Vaccines is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing the MV-012-968 intranasal live attenuated vaccine candidate targeting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The vaccine is designed to elicit mucosal immunity at the site of viral entry and has demonstrated favorable Phase 1 clinical trial results. The company is focused on advancing unmet vaccines against viruses that cause serious human diseases, with a pipeline centered on RSV prevention in vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Is Meissa Vaccines a public or private company?
Meissa Vaccines is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Meissa Vaccines founded?
Meissa Vaccines was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Meissa Vaccines based?
Meissa Vaccines is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Meissa Vaccines's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Sanofi, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer and GSK. Direct peers are Icosavax and Bavarian Nordic. Emerging players are Codagenix and Blue Lake Biotechnology.
Does Meissa Vaccines have an API?
No public API is recorded for Meissa Vaccines.
What industry is Meissa Vaccines in?
Meissa Vaccines's product category is Vaccines. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAEAA, Prophylactic Human Vaccines (routine, pediatric, adult), with a secondary code of HLAIAEAD, Seasonal & Endemic Vaccines (e.g., Influenza). Its NAICS code is 6215 and its SIC code is 2834.