Immunethep and the EIC Accelerator: A Superbug Vaccine Waits

Immunethep, based in Cantanhede, Portugal, develops PNV, a vaccine aimed at five bacteria at once: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli and group B streptococcus. Rather than attacking the bacteria directly, it blocks a protein, bacterial GAPDH, that the company says all five release to suppress the immune system. Its EIC project called PNV "the world's first vaccine not only to prevent multiple bacterial infections but for all invasive serotypes, including multi-resistant strains", according to CORDIS.

The European Innovation Council granted €2,500,000 towards a €7.4 million project from January 2023 to November 2026, to support GMP production of the vaccine and a first-in-human Phase 1 trial. The first report, covering the period to March 2024 and the only one on CORDIS, lists a new patent filed in September 2023, studies of human blood samples to set antibody thresholds, talks with GMP suppliers, and advice from Ireland's medicines regulator, HPRA, that PNV could go from Phase 1 straight to Phase 2. With two months of the project left, Immunethep's own pipeline page lists PNV as preclinical, and no PNV trial appears on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Where Immunethep Stands Now

In February 2025 the non-profit accelerator CARB-X awarded Immunethep $2 million for a separate conjugated peptide vaccine against invasive E. coli infections, according to the company's news page. In April 2025 it received funding from PACE for its monoclonal antibody programme and strengthened a research collaboration with the i3S institute. Immunethep says the EIC award made it "eligible for additional Equity investment from the EIC Fund for a project that comprises a total investment of €17.5 million", on its partnerships page; no such investment has been announced.

The Technology: Unmasking the Bacteria

The report, citing the CDC, says these five bacteria cause 80% of life-threatening infections in humans and that existing vaccines cover only S. pneumoniae, and only up to 20 of its 95 serotypes. PNV targets a mechanism Immunethep says is shared by all five, so it would work regardless of serotype and would not put pressure on bacteria to develop resistance. The company says preclinical studies showed high efficacy and a good safety profile.

What the EIC Project Promised, and What CORDIS Shows

The project promised GMP production of PNV and support for its first human trial. The public record shows preparatory work in its first 15 months and nothing on production or trial start since. The project has not yet formally ended, so a final report may still document more. CORDIS lists the project as signed.

1. Patent protectionDeliveredNew patent, 2023.
2. Regulatory roadmapDeliveredHPRA advice.
3. GMP vaccine productionNot shownSuppliers in talks, 2024.
4. First-in-human trialNot registeredNone on ClinicalTrials.gov.

The Money

The EIC grant covers about a third of the project; Immunethep had to raise the rest. It has not announced an equity round since the award or published its accounts.

What Cannot Be Checked

Why Europe Should Care

The report cites 1.27 million deaths a year from antimicrobial resistance, projected to pass 10 million by 2050. By the report's figures, the five bacteria PNV targets cause over 60% of those deaths. The EIC bet on Immunethep to test it in people; no PNV trial has yet appeared on ClinicalTrials.gov.

The Verdict

Immunethep and the EIC have not been asked for comment for this article. It is based entirely on public records and published statements, linked throughout.