The Centre for Veterinary Vaccine Innovation and Manufacturing (CVIM) has teamed up with Quantoom Biosciences to advance mRNA and saRNA vaccine development.
Based at The Pirbright Institute, CVIM is actively engaged in mRNA and saRNA vaccine research as part of its mission to accelerate the development of vaccines and vaccine platforms for use in livestock. mRNA vaccines use a laboratory-created messenger RNA (mRNA) to instruct the body's cells to make a protein that triggers an immune response.
The collaboration with Quantoom Biosciences used the company’s Ntensify® mini production platform to develop vaccine candidates for sheep, specifically targeting peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV).
Building on outstanding results, the partnership is now expanding to design additional RNA-based vaccine candidates (including ones for bluetongue virus, a major threat to livestock health). A Ntensify® mini production platform has now been installed at CVIM to facilitate expansion of the programme.
Professor Bryan Charleston MRCVS FRS, Director of The Pirbright Institute said: “We are committed to exploring the utility of RNA vaccines and compare their performance with other vaccine deliver platforms currently under investigation at CVIM.
The Ntensify mini system will allow us to rapidly explore different RNA vaccine configurations, initially in vitro and then in vivo in the natural livestock host species.”
José Castillo, CEO of Quantoom Biosciences, commented: “We are proud to see CVIM adopt our Ntensify technology for their groundbreaking work in animal health.
CVIM’s investment in the Ntensify mini system demonstrates the growing recognition of RNA-based vaccines as a transformative tool in livestock disease prevention. We look forward to continuing this successful collaboration and supporting CVIM in advancing vaccine development efforts.”
The Ntensify® mini is a research-grade mRNA and saRNA production platform that enables cost-effective, high-quality RNA synthesis and purification, accelerating CVIM’s ability to develop next-generation vaccines.
Scientifically independent, CVIM employs specialist expertise and facilities to translate innovative ideas from the laboratory to commercially feasible products, by optimising candidate vaccines and vaccine production processes.
With a focus on neglected and emerging disease of livestock, and zoonotic diseases, CVIM supports global food security, pandemic preparedness, and One Health.
Image Credit: Quantoom Biosciences.
