Vaxxas appoints former Merck Global Vaccines President David Peacock as CEO

Vaxxas, a biotechnology company pioneering HD-MAP technology for future self-administered vaccine delivery, has appointed global biopharmaceutical executive David Peacock as CEO. Bringing more than 25 years of global vaccine and pharmaceutical leadership — most recently in roles as President of Merck Global Vaccines and President of MSD Asia Pacific — Peacock has been appointed to lead the commercialisation of Vaxxas’s proprietary high‑density microarray patch (HD‑MAP) vaccination technology.

“David’s appointment marks a clear inflection point for Vaxxas as we move from clinical validation towards commercial execution,” Vaxxas Chair Sarah Meibusch said. “He brings unmatched global vaccine commercialisation experience at precisely the moment the HD-MAP technology is transitioning from proof-of-concept to a scalable delivery platform with the potential to materially improve how vaccines are manufactured, distributed and administered worldwide.

“For global pharmaceutical partners, the HD-MAP offers a differentiated self-delivery administration option to enhance existing vaccine franchises, extend lifecycle value and address persistent challenges around cold-chain, dose efficiency and access. David’s leadership positions Vaxxas to engage at scale with governments and multinational vaccine companies as a long-term strategic partner.”

With a career including service on boards and industry bodies such as the US‑ASEAN Business Council, The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Peacock said he is energised by the potential of Vaxxas’s HD‑MAP technology to reshape vaccine delivery and access. “Over the course of my career, I have seen first-hand the limitations of conventional vaccine delivery technologies in both developed, and developing, healthcare systems,” Peacock said. “I believe Vaxxas’s HD-MAP technology has the potential to fundamentally reshape vaccine access, distribution and administration.

“Vaxxas is now at a pivotal stage, with clinical validation, licensed manufacturing capability and a platform that can integrate with existing and future vaccine programs. I am excited to lead the company as we partner with pharmaceutical companies, research organisations and governments to translate this technology for global public-health and commercial impact.” Peacock will also be appointed as Executive Director to the Vaxxas board.

Vaxxas recently secured a manufacturing licence from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for HD‑MAP vaccine products at the company’s Brisbane biomedical facility.

Image caption: Vaxxas CEO David Peacock. Image source: Vaxxas.