Published Date : 2025-Jun-18
The cancer vaccine market is undergoing a paradigm shift as next-generation biopharmaceutical startups lead innovation in immuno-oncology. Fueled by mRNA platforms, neoantigen personalization, and AI-guided design, startups are pushing cancer vaccines from experimental treatments into viable, FDA-fast-tracked products.
With 2025 projected as a pivotal year, investment and partnerships are rapidly increasing across North America, Europe, and Asia.
In this blog, we explore the top startup companies at the forefront of cancer vaccine innovation, their profiles, and what trends are shaping this transformative market.
The global cancer vaccine market is on a strong growth trajectory, propelled by scientific innovations in immunotherapy, mRNA technology, and personalized medicine. The convergence of AI, nanotechnology, and genetic engineering has enabled unprecedented precision in cancer vaccine development.
Market Size (2022): USD 8.7 Billion
Projected Size (2031): USD 19.23 Billion
CAGR: Approx. 10.31%
Top Segments: Preventive Vaccines, Therapeutic Vaccines (mRNA, dendritic-cell, peptide-based)
Key Trends: mRNA platforms, personalized neoantigen vaccines, AI-driven peptide discovery
Funding (2024): Over $2.2B in VC funding across 50+ startups
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| Company | Founded | Headquarters | Employees (2024) | Revenue (2024) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BioNTech | 2008 | Mainz, Germany | 5,500+ | $5.7B (combined) | |
| Gritstone Bio | 2015 | Emeryville, USA | 150+ | $90M | |
| Moderna | 2010 | Cambridge, USA | 3,500+ | $6B+ | |
| ImmunityBio | 2014 | Culver City, USA | 700+ | $300M+ | |
| Zelluna | 2016 | Oslo, Norway | 45+ | Approx. $12M | |
| Nykode Therapeutics | 2007 | Oslo, Norway | 100+ | $35M+ | |
| Nouscom AG | 2015 | Basel, Switzerland | 50+ | Private | |
| Anixa Biosciences | 2004 | San Jose, USA | 50+ | Approx. $10M | |
| Mendus AB | 2002 | Stockholm, Sweden | 50+ | Approx. $5M | |
North America: Dominates clinical trials, VC funding (70% of trials in USA).
Europe: Strong biotech ecosystems in Germany, Switzerland, and Scandinavia (notably Norway).
Asia-Pacific: Rapid rise in China and Japan, but fewer startups; focus is on partnerships and trials.
Personalized Cancer Vaccines: Focused on patient-specific neoantigens.
AI + mRNA Synergy: Used in antigen discovery and immune prediction.
mRNA Dominance: Moderna and BioNTech transitioning COVID platform to cancer trials.
Biomarker-based Trials: Better patient selection leading to faster approvals.
BioNTech's BNT122 – Personalized mRNA vaccine in Phase 2 for melanoma.
Gritstone’s SLATE Platform – AI-curated shared neoantigen vaccines.
Ultimovacs’ UV1 – Telomerase-targeted peptide vaccine with checkpoint inhibitors.
Anixa’s Breast Cancer Vaccine – Targets α-lactalbumin, Phase 1 trials ongoing.
Nouscom’s NOUS-209 – Targets MSI-H cancers, promising early data.
Q1. What are cancer vaccines?
Answer: Cancer vaccines stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. They can be therapeutic (treating existing cancer) or preventive (stopping cancers from developing).
Q2. What is the fastest-growing cancer vaccine startup in 2024–25?
Answer: Gritstone Bio is among the fastest-growing due to its advanced personalized mRNA platform and key partnerships with Roche and Bristol Myers Squibb.
Q3. Which technology is leading the innovation?
Answer: mRNA-based vaccine platforms, especially when combined with AI-driven neoantigen prediction.
Q4. Are any startups reaching commercial success?
Answer: Not yet fully commercial, but BioNTech and Moderna are in late-phase trials for cancer vaccine candidates, potentially entering market by 2026.
Q5. Which cancers are most targeted by these vaccines?
Answer: Melanoma, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and HPV-related cancers.
Q6: Is there any approved cancer vaccine today?
Answer: Yes—Cervarix, Gardasil (HPV), and Provenge (prostate cancer) are FDA-approved.
Q7: What distinguishes therapeutic from preventive cancer vaccines?
Answer: Therapeutic vaccines treat existing cancer; preventive ones stop cancer caused by viruses (e.g., HPV, HBV)
The cancer vaccine landscape is rapidly evolving. By 2025, startups are expected to occupy 30% of the therapeutic cancer vaccine pipeline, backed by growing venture capital and pharma partnerships. Platforms integrating AI, mRNA, and immunotherapy are not only shaping personalized oncology but are moving closer to regulatory approvals.
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