Novel Vaccine Platforms For Influenza
Existing commercial influenza vaccines have major drawbacks. We aim to develop the next generation influenza vaccines to overcome these limitations to confront annual seasonal outbreaks of influenza as well as influenza pandemics.
Our vaccines are designed to induce long-lasting, potent and broadly reactive immune responses against both human and animal influenza viruses. With the findings generated from this program and the novel immune correlates identified from the Healthy Human Global Project (HHGP) project developed by C2i, we will select and generate the most promising vaccine candidate.
KEY PROJECTS
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Development of universal influenza vaccines mediating T-cell based broad cross subtype protection;
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Development of novel platforms for live-attenuated vaccine development;
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Development of neuraminidase (NA)-based vaccine to complement existing formulations, which largely elicit antibody to the virus haemagglutinin (HA).
The program develops these different strategies which have arisen from our previous basic research. By year 3, we will make a choice to select the two most promising candidate vaccines to take them through relevant advanced experimental animal models (ferrets) and preclinical studies. By year 5, we will have identified one vaccine candidate of choice to be developed for GMP production and human phase 1 clinical trial in the next phase of the program.
DELIVERABLES
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Pre-clinical development of four different vaccine candidates;
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Characterize these candidates using in vitro and in vivo models (e.g. mice and ferrets) and determine the breath and duration of protection elicited by these vaccine candidates;
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Identify one promising vaccine candidate for phase 1 clinical trial studies by end of year 5;
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Creation of technology-based startups for commercialization and translation.
KEY RESEARCH STAFF IN THE TEAM
We have a multidisciplinary team in this program with a proven track record of previous collaboration who have contributed to the initial work (already published with some patents) on these novel vaccine strategies.
Malik Peiris and Leo LM Poon (HKU) are molecular virologists who have extensive experience in influenza virology and “universal influenza vaccine” development.
Sophie A Valkenburg (HKU-PRP) is an immunologist who studies influenza virus-induced immune responses in mice/humans.
John M Nicholls (HKU) is a pathologist who studies influenza virus-induced pathological changes in animals/humans.
Hui-Ling Yen (HKU) is a virologist expert in using animal models (e.g. mouse and ferret) to study influenza virus pathogenicity and transmission.
Liyanage P Perera (NIH, USA) is a translational research scientist and his research focuses on applying vaccinia virus-based vector approach to treat cancer and infectious diseases. He also has experience in human clinical trials.
The team holds multiple relevant patents. The experimental animal studies needed will be carried out at the world-class HKU Bio-safety level three facility.
