SwiftPharma announces partnership with Medicines Patent Pool and Population Council on Project ELYRA to expand pathways for Griffithsin-based STI prevention

Project ELYRA brings together complementary expertise across scientific research, product development, and access-oriented licensing. The Population Council has played a central role in originating and stewarding GRFT research and holds intellectual property (IP) relevant to its use in prevention technologies. SwiftPharma is developing a GRFT-based combination product along with scalable manufacturing processes. MPP supports access-focused licensing and technology transfer strategies to facilitate availability in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

SwiftPharma’s Project ELYRA is pioneering the development of a novel vaginal suppository designed to provide broad protection against sexually transmitted infections. The formulation combines the antiviral lectin Griffithsin (GRFT), which targets virus-based infections such as HIV and herpes, with an antimicrobial peptide that combat bacterial infections, including gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia. By addressing both viral and bacterial threats in a single product, SwiftPharma aims to offer a next-generation preventive solution for sexual health. The active pharmaceutical ingredients are being developed using SwiftPharma’s proprietary HyperXpress™ plant-based transient expression platform, with the goal of enabling scalable and sustainable manufacturing.

SwiftPharma and the Population Council maintain an existing Development Agreement establishing the framework for collaboration on GRFT, including research on manufacturing processes and access to background IP. The agreement continues to provide a robust framework for collaboration on GRFT-related research and development, including access to relevant intellectual property under license from the US National Institutes of Health.

In parallel, SwiftPharma and MPP have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on technology transfer, licensing frameworks, and engagement with regional partners, beginning with South Africa. The collaboration emphasizes non-exclusivelicensing approaches designed to promote affordable local or regional manufacture while supporting sustainable product development and regional health security.

“Sexually transmitted infections continue to pose a growing global health challenge, with millions affected each year and limited prevention options available. Through Project ELYRA, we have the opportunity to address this urgent need with a multi-purpose solution that could make a real difference in people’s lives. Our collaboration brings together expertise, innovation, and a shared vision for accessible, effective prevention, and we are excited about the potential impact this development can have worldwide,” said Jeroen Hofenk, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of SwiftPharma.

“Driven by SwiftPharma's pioneering biologics development and manufacturing technologies and MPP's commitment to equitable access, we are translating decades of research into a prevention tool that can meaningfully address the global STI burden. This collaboration underscores our belief that transformative health solutions require diverse expertise and a unified commitment to reaching underserved populations worldwide," said Kyle Kleinbeck, Senior Scientist, Population Council

“We’re proud to work with SwiftPharma to advance Griffithsin-Based STI Prevention and to support the licensing and transfer of their exciting plant-based technology to manufacturers in Africa. This innovation has real potential to expand affordable, sustainable biomanufacturing for multiple health needs. We appreciate the Flemish government’s support in enabling this work,” said Charles Gore, Executive Director of Medicines Patent Pool.

By aligning foundational science, active product development, and access-oriented licensing strategies, Project ELYRA reflects a structured approach to advancing multi-purpose STI prevention technologies while respecting the distinct roles and responsibilities of each partner.

--

About SwiftPharma BV

SwiftPharma is a Belgium-based privately held biotechnology company dedicated to developing next generation, animal-free, and affordable recombinant proteins by transforming plants into mini bioreactors. The company is on a mission to bring a paradigm shift to multiple industries by serving as a bridge between high unmet industry needs and the significant advances being made in sustainable biomanufacturing. For more information, visit www.swiftpharma.eu

About Population Council

The Population Council is a leading research organization dedicated to building an equitable and sustainable world that enhances the health and well-being of current and future generations. We generate ideas, produce evidence, and design solutions to improve the lives of underserved populations around the world. Learn more at www.popcouncil.org

About Medicines Patent Pool 

The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is a UN-backed public health organization founded by Unitaid to increase access to, and facilitate the development of, life-saving medicines for LIMCs. MPP negotiates voluntary licences with pharmaceutical patent holders to allow generic manufacturers to produce affordable, quality-assured, generic versions of essential medicines. Learn more at www.medicinespatentpool.org