The University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide, with Industry Partner Enesi Pharma (UK), will develop a new Zika virus vaccine carried in ImplaVax®-enabled solid dose. This innovative thermostable Zika vaccine formulation will enable simple, robust and needle-free vaccination.

The collaborative team aim to prevent Zika virus infection of pregnant women, and the resultant microcephaly and severe birth defects in infants born to infected mothers.

Microcephaly cannot be corrected, and the accompanying disabilities are lifelong and catastrophic. This next-generation vaccine platform is designed to enhance the immune response and offer significant benefits for patients, care givers and healthcare professionals through enhanced effectiveness, safety, ease of use, reliability and stability. Vaccination can be administered with minimal training and is rapidly deployable while eliminating the need for cold-chain storage.

The project meets WHO R&D Blueprint priorities to protect vulnerable reproductive-aged women from this pathogen, ultimately avoiding the devastating and severe brain anomalies and malformations that follow prenatal infection.


BTB Round: Two

State: Victoria

Project Partners: Enesi Pharma & The Hospital Research Foundation

Funding:

  • MTPConnect Grant: $778,750
  • Industry Contribution: $780,000

Duration: October 2020 – June 2022


Visit The University of Adelaide for more information.

Twitter: @UniofAdelaide  |  LinkedIn: The University of Adelaide

Contact: Branka Grubor-Bauk, PhD