University of Nottingham Enter into Partnership with Touchlight to Accelerate Zika Vaccine Development
Thursday, August 22, 2024
University of Nottingham are accelerating the development of a new DNA vaccine for the Zika virus, thanks to a partnership with Touchlight, a specialist in advanced DNA production.
University of Nottingham's goal is to create a Zika virus DNA vaccine that can be manufactured within weeks and safely distributed worldwide in the event of future outbreaks.
Touchlight will provide cutting-edge technology to rapidly produce large quantities of the vaccine.
Touchlight, an innovative contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), focuses on enzymatic DNA production. They will supply their unique dbDNATM technology to the University of Nottingham to aid in creating the next generation of Zika virus DNA vaccines.
Traditional DNA vaccines often struggle when administered with a needle and syringe, frequently requiring costly devices to deliver the vaccine through the skin. The Nottingham team has developed a new DNA formulation that can be easily administered by a simple injection. This project will use synthetic production methods instead of bacterial fermentation, reducing development time from six months to just six weeks.
Touchlight’s dbDNA technology is a significant advancement in DNA production, offering a fast, efficient, and scalable method perfect for vaccine development. It has the potential to reduce dosage, eliminate antibiotic resistance, and create low-cost, stable vaccines suitable for the developing world. Touchlight will provide GMP dbDNA material for the clinical study.
DNA vaccines offer several advantages, including rapid and cost-effective production. Unlike mRNA vaccines, they do not require cold-chain storage, making them ideal for responding to future disease outbreaks, especially in less economically developed regions.
This innovative project is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) as part of the UK Vaccine Network, a UK aid initiative focused on developing vaccines for diseases with epidemic potential in low and middle-income countries.
Touchlight is delighted to support the University of Nottingham with our innovative dbDNA technology in developing a Zika virus DNA vaccine. Touchlight are committed to helping vaccine developers by providing rapid, high-purity DNA for vaccines against emerging pathogens
Source:nottingham.ac.uk
