WestVac BioPharma

What WestVac BioPharma does

WestVac BioPharma Co., Ltd. is a Chengdu-headquartered, privately held Chinese biopharmaceutical company that integrates vaccine research and development, manufacturing, and commercialization. Founded in July 2020 by ten scientists from the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy at West China Hospital of Sichuan University under Academician Wei Yuquan, the company operates three sites — Chengdu (headquarters and primary production), Guangzhou (manufacturing subsidiary licensed February 2024), and Beijing (R&D subsidiary) — with combined annual production capacity of 200 million vaccine doses built on its proprietary insect cell (Sf9) recombinant protein expression platform, the fourth such platform in the world after Sanofi, GSK, and Novavax. Its commercial franchise centers on the Coviccine® line of recombinant COVID-19 vaccines — including the first insect cell-expressed recombinant COVID-19 vaccine approved for emergency use in China (December 2022) and the world's first XBB.1.5-targeting trivalent vaccine approved in June 2023 — formulated with WGa01, an MF59-like squalene emulsion adjuvant that is the first novel adjuvant approved in China beyond aluminum formulations.

The company's commercial model is built on government procurement: Coviccine vaccines are distributed through China's National Immunization Program and listed in the State Council's Immunization Schedule for Second COVID-19 Booster Dose, reaching more than 10,000 community vaccination sites across 300+ cities. Revenue diversification is underway through international expansion — Foreign Drug Manufacturer Accreditation in Japan (February 2023), PIC/S GMP certification in Mexico (January 2024), and clinical trials in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Kenya — together with B2B revenue from WGa01 adjuvant sales and external CDMO services leveraging its insect baculovirus, E. coli, and nucleic acid delivery platforms. Backed by over 2 billion yuan in cumulative funding from investors including Shanghai Pharmaceuticals, Sichuan Development, CICC Capital, CDH Investments, and China Taiping, WestVac is currently raising a Series D round and has been listed in the Hurun Global Unicorn Index for five consecutive years (2021–2025). The R&D pipeline extends beyond COVID-19 into recombinant trivalent influenza, COVID-19-influenza combination, nasal spray RSV, acne, anti-fibrotic, and therapeutic cancer vaccines.

Name

WestVac BioPharma

Legal name

WestVac Biopharma Co., Ltd.

Website

https://westvacpharma.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

WestVac BioPharma is a Chengdu-based Chinese biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and commercializes recombinant vaccines using a proprietary insect cell (Sf9) expression platform, primarily serving government immunization programs for COVID-19 with expanding pipelines in influenza, RSV, and oncology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vaccines and Biopharmaceuticals

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Vaccine Technology Platforms (mRNA, viral vector, protein subunit, inactivated/live-attenuated, VLP, DNA) (HLAAAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vaccine Adjuvants & Formulation Systems (HLAIAEAI), Therapeutic Vaccines (e.g., Cancer/Chronic Infection) (HLAIAEAG), Therapeutic Vaccines (cancer, chronic infection immunotherapy) (HLAAAEAB), Vaccine Fill-Finish, Packaging & Cold-Chain Formulation (vial/syringe, lyophilization, thermostable) (HLAAAEAJ)

Keywords

• Recombinant protein vaccines
• Insect cell expression platform
• COVID-19 vaccines
• Novel adjuvant development
• Biopharmaceutical manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Chengdu

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Vaccine Product Sales: Sale of marketed COVID-19 vaccines including Coviccine Trivalent XBB Vaccine and other recombinant COVID-19 vaccines through government immunization programs and international markets. Products approved for emergency use and commercial distribution in China.
2. Technology Services and Contract Manufacturing: Full-cycle services for vaccine and biopharmaceutical R&D including strain screening, antigen design, process development, GMP clinical trial sample production, technology transfer, and regulatory support for domestic and international clinical trial registration applications.
3. Adjuvant Sales and Co-development: Sale of WGa01 MF59-like adjuvant products in multiple specifications (10mL, 20mL, 100mL, 10L, 20L) for research institutions and vaccine developers. Co-development and contract manufacturing of adjuvant-vaccine products for clinical trials and commercialization.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

WestVac BioPharma develops, manufactures, and sells recombinant protein vaccines — primarily the Coviccine series of COVID-19 vaccines (original Sf9 cell vaccine, monovalent XBB vaccine, and trivalent XBB.1.5+BA.5+Delta vaccine) — using a proprietary insect cell (Sf9) recombinant protein expression platform. The company also sells novel adjuvants (WGa01 MF59-like squalene emulsion and aluminum hydroxide composite) and provides contract manufacturing and technology platform services for biopharmaceutical R&D, with annual production capacity of 100 million doses across its Chengdu and Guangzhou GMP facilities.

Product overview

WestVac BioPharma is an innovative biopharmaceutical company integrating vaccine R&D, production, and sales. The company operates three main facilities in Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Beijing, with annual production capacity exceeding 100 million doses. Its product portfolio centers on the Coviccine® brand of recombinant COVID-19 vaccines using insect cell expression technology (Sf9 cells), including the original vaccine, monovalent XBB variant vaccine, and trivalent XBB.1.5+BA.5+Delta vaccine. Complementing the vaccine products are adjuvant offerings including the WGa01 MF59-like adjuvant and aluminum hydroxide-based adjuvants. The company is developing additional pipeline products including recombinant influenza vaccine, COVID-19-influenza combination vaccine, nasal spray RSV vaccine, and therapeutic cancer vaccines. WestVac also provides external technology platform services including insect baculovirus expression, E. coli expression, and nucleic acid delivery systems for biopharmaceutical R&D.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Coviccine: Brand name for WestVac's recombinant COVID-19 vaccines including Coviccine Trivalent XBB Vaccine (Recombinant COVID-19 Trivalent (XBB.1.5+BA.5+Delta) Protein Vaccine) and Coviccine monovalent XBB vaccine
• WGa01 Adjuvant

Products and services

• Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine (Sf9 cell) - Coviccine® First insect cell-expressed recombinant COVID-19 vaccine developed in China, using a baculovirus-insect cell (Sf9) expression system to produce the SARS-CoV-2 S protein; approved for emergency use in December 2022 and distributed through China's national immunization program for booster immunization.
• Recombinant COVID-19 Trivalent (XBB.1.5+BA.5+Delta) Protein Vaccine (Sf9 Cell) - Coviccine® Trivalent XBB Vaccine World's first approved emergency-use COVID-19 vaccine targeting XBB.1.5 and other SARS-CoV-2 variants, using insect cell expression with the WGa01 squalene emulsion adjuvant to elicit broad neutralizing antibody and T-cell responses against XBB.1.5, BA.5, and Delta subvariants.
• Recombinant COVID-19 (XBB) Trimer Protein Vaccine (Sf9 Cell) Monovalent XBB variant-targeting recombinant protein COVID-19 vaccine using insect cell (Sf9) expression technology, designed based on the structural precision of S-RBD and HR proteins that self-assemble into stable trimeric protein particles; approved for emergency use in December 2023.
• WGa01 Adjuvant (MF59-like Adjuvant) Squalene-based oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant with technical specifications similar to Novartis MF59; the first novel adjuvant approved in China apart from aluminum adjuvants. Sold to vaccine developers in multiple specifications and used in WestVac's own COVID-19 vaccines to enhance neutralizing antibody titers and T-cell immune responses.
• Aluminum Hydroxide-Sodium Chloride Composite Immunoadjuvant Commercial-scale aluminum hydroxide-based composite adjuvant with 500,000 doses per batch capacity, featuring uniform particle size, high purity, excellent safety profile, stable suspension, and strong adsorption capacity for use in vaccines.
• Recombinant Trivalent Influenza Vaccine Pipeline-stage first trivalent influenza vaccine in China developed using insect cell-expressed recombinant proteins, compliant with WHO's latest recommendations, suitable for egg-allergic individuals, and demonstrating over 30% superior efficacy in populations aged above 50 compared to traditional egg-based split influenza vaccines.
• COVID-19-Influenza Combination Vaccine Pipeline-stage combination vaccine that targets both COVID-19 and influenza with a single immunization, leveraging WestVac's mature insect cell expression platforms for both antigens to simplify immunization schedules and reduce healthcare visits.
• Nasal Spray Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine Pipeline-stage nasal spray vaccine candidate targeting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that induces mucosal immunity to enhance vaccine safety and accessibility.
• Novel Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines Pipeline-stage tumor vaccine and immunotherapy products developed on WestVac's tumor vaccine and immunotherapy platform, including in situ vaccines and intranasal vaccines for cancer treatment.
• pMVA-1 Lipid Complex for Injection (WSK-IM02) Pipeline-stage oncology immune agent independently developed by WestVac BioPharma scientists, with patent authorization granted in China, the United States (September 2023), and Japan.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6.9 to 39-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies against Omicron variants including JN.1, BA.2.86, EG.5, HV.1, XBB.1, XBB.1.5 at 14 days post-vaccination
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022PATH experts visited WestVac Biopharma for three-day investigation and training work from January 6-8, 2022. Provided guidance on vaccine development and international collaboration strategies.
• Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021Video conference held on November 16, 2021 between WestVac Biopharma and CEPI experts to discuss R&D progress of COVID-19 vaccine. Adjuvant technology has been shared with CEPI to support global innovative vaccine development.
• SEAKNIT Biotechnology Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe (FBRI) and SEAKNIT Biotechnology visited WestVac Biopharma on November 29, 2021. SEAKNIT is supporting Phase II clinical trial enrollment of COVID-19 vaccine in Japan and collaborating on second generation COVID-19 vaccine R&D.
• Nagasaki University (Japan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2021Nagasaki University together with Kobe City Translational Research Center for Medical Innovation (TRI) prepared clinical trial procedures for Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine (Sf9 Cell) in Japan. First Chinese COVID-19 vaccine to enter clinical trials in Japan.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreOthers · 1 January 2021WestVac Biopharma has established a sound communication mechanism with WHO. Dr. TANG Yi from WHO Representative Office in China visited in September 2021 to guide application for WHO Emergency Use List (EUL) authorization of COVID-19 vaccine and preparation of corresponding files.
• Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationcoreOthers · 1 January 2021Established communication mechanism with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for collaboration on vaccine development and global health initiatives.
• Chengdu High-Tech Industrial Development ZonecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2020Cooperation agreement signed with total investment exceeding 5.1 billion yuan. Government support for vaccine and tumor vaccine R&D and industrialization, boosting Tianfu Vaccine Valley development.
• European Vaccine Initiative (EVI)minorOthersEstablished communication mechanism with European Vaccine Initiative for collaboration on vaccine development.
• West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore research partner providing scientific team led by Academician Wei Yuquan from National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy. Contributed capital with scientific and technological achievements. Joint development of COVID-19 vaccines and other pipeline products.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Sanofi Pasteur: One of the world's largest vaccine companies and pioneer of the insect cell expression platform WestVac's technology is based on. Competes broadly in influenza, COVID, RSV, and combination vaccines, with far greater global commercial reach.
• BioNTech: Pioneer mRNA vaccine company with Pfizer-partnered COVID-19 vaccine and rapidly expanding oncology vaccine pipeline. Competes in mRNA platform and shares therapeutic cancer vaccine ambitions at significantly greater scale.
• Moderna: Global leader in mRNA vaccine technology with extensive pipeline including COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and oncology vaccines. Competes with WestVac in mRNA platform and shares therapeutic cancer vaccine ambitions.
• GSK (GlaxoSmithKline): Major global vaccine incumbent with its own insect cell-expressed recombinant vaccine franchise and pioneering adjuvant systems (AS01, AS03). Comparable platform technology at much greater global scale.

Direct peers

• Sinovac Biotech: Leading Chinese COVID-19 vaccine developer (CoronaVac) and broader vaccine manufacturer with large domestic distribution. Direct competitor in China's national immunization procurement market and emerging-market COVID vaccine tenders.
• Novavax: Global leader in recombinant protein nanoparticle vaccines using insect cell (Sf9) expression—the same core platform WestVac uses. Most direct technology comparable, competing in COVID-19 and broader recombinant vaccine adjuvanted with Matrix-M.
• CSPC Pharmaceutical Group: Major Chinese pharma with growing vaccine business (including mRNA COVID vaccine SYS6006) and oncology pipeline. Competes in Chinese government procurement and emerging international markets.
• Walvax Biotechnology: Chinese vaccine manufacturer with strong domestic production and emerging mRNA platform (including partnered COVID-19 mRNA program). Comparable scale, technology breadth, and Chinese government customer base.
• CanSino Biologics: Chinese vaccine developer with multiple marketed products including Convidecia COVID-19 vaccine and mRNA pipeline programs. Direct competitor across COVID, influenza, and emerging pipeline therapeutic vaccines.

Regional players

• Zhifei Biological Products: China's largest vaccine distributor by revenue with strong domestic commercialization muscle and recombinant COVID vaccine portfolio. Comparable Chinese-market focus and customer base, though business model is distribution-leaning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/westvac-biopharma-co-ltd

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WestVac BioPharma