Survac

Survac (Survac ApS) was a Danish biotechnology company that specialized in the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines based on a proprietary peptide technology platform. Founded in 2003 as a spin-off from the Danish Cancer Society and the Technical University of Denmark, the company focused on identifying and optimizing peptides to stimulate the immune system against cancer-specific antigens. Its lead research program targeted survivin, a protein that is highly expressed in most human cancers but absent in normal adult tissues, making it an ideal target for immunotherapy. In 2005, Survac was acquired by Merck KGaA for approximately 11 million euros, which integrated Survac's technology and survivin vaccine candidates into its oncology portfolio. The company's founder, Mads Hald Andersen, is a renowned immunologist who subsequently co-founded other successful biotech firms such as IO Biotech and RhoVac.