New collaboration to boost vaccine efficiency
A new collaboration between the University of Melbourne and Bio Farma, a vaccine development company, will see the production of a new adjuvant, a vaccine delivery system, that promises to boost the effectiveness of vaccines for a range of infectious diseases including Hepatitis C, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B and Haemopilus influenza type B.
A University of Melbourne research team, led by Professor David Jackson, has shown that a synthetic TLR2 agonist-based adjuvant can enhance immunity and protect animals from viral and bacterial infections.
Under the proposed arrangement, the University of Melbourne will receive research funding to further evaluate and develop a proof of concept.
“We are delighted to be collaborating with the Board of Bio Farma and its scientific team in relation to developing a novel vaccine platform, which could lead to better and more efficacious vaccines against infectious diseases” said Professor James Angus, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at Melbourne.
“This agreement reflects the desire for research at the University of Melbourne to be translated into impact and recognises the importance of collaboration with leading vaccine companies to achieve this goal,” he said.