Image: Tejvan Pettinger [CC BY 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons
University of Oxford researchers get over £60 million to develop prototype vaccines against unknown diseases
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has revealed it will invest over £60 million in research at the University of Oxford to develop vaccines against the so-called Disease X.
Disease X is the name used to describe a currently unknown and hypothetical pathogen that could cause a future epidemic.
Cepi—a global partnership between public, private, philanthropic and civil society organisations—works to make sure a new vaccine could be developed within 100 days of the next Disease X emerging. Known as the 100 Days Mission, this goal has been adopted by the G7 and G20 groups of countries.
Oslo-based Cepi announced on 29 August up to £63 million ($80 million) for Oxford scientists to develop prototype vaccines that could be adapted quickly if a new viral threat emerges.
“This is a ground-breaking commitment from Cepi to provide momentum that will drive the critical research that we need to be better prepared for future pandemics,” said Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group.
“Building on our extensive experience in vaccine development over the past 30 years and world-leading response to Covid-19 with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, we will strive with Cepi to secure the safety of future generations against the ongoing threats from the microbial world.”
According to Cepi, an outbreak of a future Disease X is “inevitable” due to globalisation, urbanisation and climate change, but the “inevitability does not mean the world is destined to relive the devastating impacts” of Covid.
For the 100 Days Mission to succeed, Cepi says the world needs rapid-response vaccine technology platforms that can be used to design vaccines in a matter of days.
The funding will go towards creating prototype vaccines based on Oxford’s existing vaccine technology platform, ChAdOx, which was the basis of its Covid-19 vaccine.
“Through this partnership, Cepi will benefit from the expertise of Oxford’s world-class team of vaccine scientists, and the institution’s steadfast commitment to global equitable access, as we prepare for future pandemic threats,” said Richard Hatchett, chief executive of Cepi.
With the funding, University of Oxford scientists will also explore ways of optimising the manufacturing process for the ChAdOx platform, so vaccines can be rolled out more quickly during an outbreak.