Crucell to receive up to $5 mln for vaccine deal

AMSTERDAM, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Dutch biotechnology firm Crucell (CRCL.AS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)(CRXL.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Friday it will receive up to $5 million from a foundation for the development of a tubercolosis vaccine using its products.

Crucell and U.S.-based Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation, said in a statement they had launched a new Phase I clinical trial of a Crucell-based tubercolosis vaccine.

The Crucell products used ar AdVac and PER.C6, Crucell said. Crucell's PER.C6 gene technology uses human cells as a platform to produce drugs. Researchers are also using the technology in hopes of developing vaccines against illnesses such as HIV and cancer. (Reporting by Gilbert Kreijger)