BioDiem closes dengue fever deal

BioDiem (ASX:BDM) has made official its licensing agreement with the Australian National University covering a vaccine technology for dengue fever.

The company and the ANU's John Curtain School of Medical Research have signed the final licensing deal, which gives BioDiem the exclusive global license to the technology.

The terms of the deal will see BioDiem provide royalties on sales of products using the technology, and contribute to patent registration costs. But the company said the arrangement involves no extra up-front outlay.

BioDiem and the university signed a term sheet for the licensing deal earlier this month, and have now finalised the terms.

Dengue fever is an infectious disease affecting an estimated 50 million to 100 million people per year. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and skin rashes. A small percentage of cases are fatal.

The disease is transmitted through mosquito bites. There is no current approved vaccine.

While dengue fever is the lead indicator, the technology may also be helpful in developing vaccines for other infectious diseases, including both Japanese and Murray River encephalitis – forms of acute inflammation of the brain.

BioDiem (ASX:BDM) shares stayed flat on Monday at $0.060.