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John Cairns
The visit showcased Oxford’s global leadership in medical science and innovation, particularly in the areas of vaccine development and manufacture, and disease prevention. His Royal Highness was welcomed by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Mrs Marjorie Glasgow, and received by Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford.
At the Clinical BioManufacturing Facility, His Royal Highness was introduced to Professor Catherine Green, Head of the Facility, Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert who initiated and led the development of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (Vaxzevria) in 2020, and Professor Tim Elliott, Kidani Professor of Immuno-oncology and co-Director of Oxford Cancer - a city-wide network designed to ensure rapid translation from scientific discovery to treatments for patients. His Royal Highness was given a demonstration of sterile vial filling by Apprentice Technician Scientist Emilia Reyes Pabon, who joined the CBF in 2018 after completing her A Levels at City of Oxford College.
Emilia said: 'It was great to be able to show His Royal Highness the unique capabilities of the CBF, which were so important in making vaccines during the COVID pandemic.'
The Clinical BioManufacturing Facility is a unique university-hosted facility in the UK that can produce small batches of clinical-grade medicinal products and vaccines for use in early clinical trials. It has manufactured some notable vaccines in recent years, including:
• The University’s R21 malaria vaccine, a highly-effective vaccine against malaria which is now being rolled out across Africa on a scale of hundreds of millions of doses each year.
• The Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which saved an estimated six million lives in its first year of rollout alone.
• The first batches of LungVax, a preventative vaccine for those at high-risk of developing lung cancer. Supported by Cancer Research UK, the first clinical trials are expected to begin before the end of the year.
• Vaccines for multiple diseases with pandemic potential including Ebola virus, Junin virus and Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever.
Read the full story on the University of Oxford website.