Vaxxas Appoints Former Merck Vaccines President David Peacock as CEO to Lead HD-MAP Commercialisation

Vaxxas Pty Ltd announced the appointment of David Peacock as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, to lead the commercialisation of the company’s proprietary high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) vaccination technology.

Mr. Peacock brings more than 25 years of global leadership experience across vaccines and biopharmaceuticals. Most recently, he served as President of Merck Global Vaccines and President of MSD Asia Pacific, overseeing major commercial and operational initiatives across mature and emerging markets.

“David’s appointment marks a clear inflection point for Vaxxas as we move from clinical validation towards commercial execution. He brings unmatched global vaccine commercialisation experience at precisely the moment the HD-MAP technology is transitioning from proof-of-concept to a scalable delivery platform with the potential to materially improve how vaccines are manufactured, distributed and administered worldwide.

His career spans senior commercial, operational, and financial leadership roles across Japan, the United States, Europe, and Asia, and includes board and advisory positions with organizations such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the US-ASEAN Business Council, and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). Mr. Peacock is recognized for driving entrepreneurial growth, digital commercial innovation, and funding access initiatives, including work with start-ups and new technology platforms.

“For global pharmaceutical partners, the HD-MAP offers a differentiated self-delivery administration option to enhance existing vaccine franchises, extend lifecycle value and address persistent challenges around cold-chain, dose efficiency and access. David’s leadership positions Vaxxas to engage at scale with governments and multinational vaccine companies as a long-term strategic partner,” said Ms Meibusch.

Vaxxas Chair Sarah Meibusch said the appointment aligns with the company’s near-term pathway to market and long-term growth strategy, as Vaxxas advances toward commercial readiness. Mr. Peacock said he is energized by the potential of HD-MAP technology to transform vaccine delivery and expand global access, particularly by simplifying administration and distribution. Mr. Peacock will also join the Vaxxas Board of Directors as an Executive Director.

“Vaxxas is now at a pivotal stage, with clinical validation, licensed manufacturing capability and a platform that can integrate with existing and future vaccine programs. I am excited to lead the company as we partner with pharmaceutical companies, research organisations and governments to translate this technology for global public-health and commercial impact,” said Mr Peacock.

The leadership appointment follows a major regulatory milestone for the company. Vaxxas recently received a manufacturing licence from Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for HD-MAP vaccine products at its Brisbane biomedical facility. The licence supports GMP-compliant, scalable commercial supply and follows the installation of the company’s first robotic aseptic manufacturing lines, materially de-risking the path to market.

“Together, these appointments provide Vaxxas significant depth in global vaccine commercialisation, manufacturing and partnership expertise. This strengthens Vaxxas’ ability to work credibly with multinational pharmaceutical companies and governments as the HD-MAP technology advances toward scaled manufacture and broader deployment,” Ms Meibusch added.

Mr. Peacock’s appointment also builds on recent board and leadership additions, including Brent MacGregor, CEO of Medical Developments International (ASX: MVP) and a global vaccine industry veteran with more than 30 years of senior leadership experience at CSL Seqirus, Novartis Vaccines, and Sanofi Pasteur. In addition, Michael Shleifer, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of SPRIM Global Investments, which anchored Vaxxas’ approximately $90 million financing this year, has joined as a Board Observer.

Together, the strengthened leadership team positions Vaxxas to advance HD-MAP technology from late-stage development into commercial-scale vaccine manufacturing and global deployment.