Aussie biotech to manufacture mRNA paediatric brain cancer vaccines

Southern RNA — a Queensland-based biotechnology company — is manufacturing personalised mRNA paediatric brain cancer vaccines for a clinical trial. The PaedNEO-VAX trial marks the first multi-site paediatric study to test individualised mRNA vaccines designed specifically for each child’s cancer and is co-led by The University of Queensland and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).

The trial is open to children and adolescents with relapsed or refractory high-grade brain tumours, including high-grade glioma, diffuse midline glioma, medulloblastoma and ependymoma. Scientific lead Professor Brandon Wainwright AM from The University of Queensland’s Frazer Institute said personalised mRNA cancer vaccines had shown promising results in adults with rare and hard-to-treat cancers, including pancreatic cancer and melanoma.

“Phase I of the trial will help us determine the safest and most effective dose,” Wainwright said. “Phase II will assess how well the treatment works including whether it slows cancer progression and improves overall survival and quality of life for participating children and their families.”

Professor Brandon Wainwright of UQ's Frazer Institute is the trial's scientific lead. Photo credit: The University of Queensland

Tumour-specific targets will be identified for each child using genome sequencing and advanced data analysis, with customised mRNA vaccines then manufactured locally in Australia by Southern RNA — with an expected turnaround of approximately 10 weeks from enrolment to dosing.

Professor Brandon Wainwright AM explains the PaedNEO-VAX trial. Credit: The University of Queensland

“In 2022, we created Southern RNA to be ready for the next pandemic,” said Chris Peck, Southern RNA’s Founder and Managing Director. Peck added that it became clear in early 2023 that messenger RNA (mRNA) “had such amazing potential for other treatments beyond COVID”, particularly for personalised treatment for unmet medical needs such as cancer.

With commencement in March across eight paediatric hospitals in Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia, the trial is sponsored by the Australia & New Zealand Children’s Haematology and Oncology Group (ANZCHOG). It is funded by Canadian Organisation Providence therapeutics in combination with the Australian Government and a host of philanthropic donors.

Top image source: Southern RNA.