RNA vaccines work by using a small segment of the target disease’s genetic material to instruct cells to produce a protein, which then triggers an immune response. This new partnership will enable Oxford researchers to expedite the creation of pre-clinical and clinical-grade RNA vaccines targeting various cancers and infectious diseases, bringing advanced treatments closer to clinical use.
The new initiative builds on Oxford’s expertise in vaccine development in the fight against many infectious diseases including pathogens of pandemic potential, (e.g. flaviviruses influenza, Ebola viruses and of course Covid-19).
The cancer arm of the collaboration - which will be led by Professor Tim Elliott, Kidani Professor of Immuno-oncology and co-director of Oxford Cancer - will build upon this knowledge, as well as leveraging Oxford’s growing understanding of how our immune system responds to different cancers.
The project will also build upon ongoing work from Associate Professor Lennard Lee, who co-designed the NHS Cancer vaccine launchpad. Professor Lee added: ‘Oxford University has a proven track record of working with the leading manufacturers and establishing collaborations between industry, government, funders and academia. This will advance the agenda for cancer vaccines in the UK, and potentially bring through a new hope for those who have a cancer diagnosis.’
Read the full story on the Oxford Cancer website.