BioDiem partners with RMIT to extend vaccine technology

BioDiem and The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have entered into a collaborative research programme to develop BioDiem’s viral technology platform and apply it to indications beyond influenza.

Presently, BioDiem’s live attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) technology, which was originally licensed from the Institute of Experimental Medicine in Russia, is only employed with the influenza virus.

It is based on a ‘cold adapted’ influenza virus that cannot replicate within the human body, and is thus non-virulent. Genes from this virus are combined with a wild type influenza virus, rendering it non-virulent, yet allowing the body to develop an immune response to the wild type virus’s surface antigens.

BioDiem is hoping the technology can be translated for use in other viruses other than influenza.

The partnership between BioDiem and RMIT will look to develop vaccines against viruses that appear to lead to some cancers. One such is Epstein-Barr virus, which is strongly correlated with incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

BioDiem is providing the seed funding and retaining full intellectual property rights from the research. Royalties for RMIT on commercial outcomes of the research will be negotiated.

”We’re pleased to enter this agreement with RMIT to explore the important area of LAIV customisation,” said Julie Phillips, BioDiem CEO, in a statement.

“The success of our existing vaccine licensing business is based on the ability of the LAIV to safely and effectively deliver a strong immune response, qualities we intend to expand into new indications.

“This partnership represents another strand in the parallel development of our portfolio of therapies and vaccines for infectious diseases and related cancers” she said.

BioDiem (ASX:BDM) was trading at 6.1c as of 1pm Friday, down from 6.5c on Thursday.