Grant: Proof of Principle Program - Phase I

Virus-based vaccines are arguably society's most successful pharmaceuticals for the prevention of deadly human diseases. Timely manufacturing of large amounts of vaccines remains a major public health concern as highlighted in 2009 by the acute supply shortages encountered during the H1N1 vaccination program. This issue has been long recognized by vaccine manufacturers, who often use fertilized eggs to make vaccines even though this method is slow and plagued with a number of issues, including unreliable supply of eggs. As a solution, the industry is now adopting cultured cells that are more reliable and efficient for manufacturing. However, regulatory bodies have limited what type of cells can be used to produce vaccines. Because viruses preferably replicate in specific cell types, this can lead to inefficient production and low yields. In this grant application, we describe our patented small molecules we have named virus sensitizers (or VSe) that can be used to supplement the nutritious broth in which cells and viruses are cultured, in some cases leading to over 1000-fold increases in virus yields. We outline experiments that will allow us to optimize and de-risk VSe technology, focusing on commercially attractive applications such as influenza and modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA), an emerging multi-purpose vaccine platform. We also describe our plan to commercialize the technology by establishing strategic partnerships with eventual licensees in order to bring the technology to the next level of industrial development and regulatory approval. We believe that this project can significantly impact health outcomes not only in Canada but also in developing countries, where access to cheaper vaccines would greatly improve the success of annual vaccination programs, a key determinant for controlling the spread of infectious diseases worldwide.