Collaboration to develop compound to boost vaccine efficacy

The University of Melbourne has announced an agreement with vaccine company Bio Farma to develop an adjuvant - a vaccine delivery system which could boost the effectiveness of vaccines for a range of infectious diseases including hepatitis C, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Haemopilus influenza type B.

Research led by Professor David Jackson’s team in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Melbourne 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 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.”

The President Director of Bio Farma, Iskandar, said, “Bio Farma is highly proud to have the collaboration with the University of Melbourne. This agreement will surely give us an opportunity to enhance our research capacity.

“Hopefully in the future it will lead into a real contribution in the prevention of communicable disease in the world.”

The research agreement was facilitated by UoM Commercial, the university’s commercial engagement service company.