CEPI announced in January 2024 that an award of up to $3.12 million will support researchers at Algenex in development of a chrysalis-based baculovirus vaccine platform technology: CrisBio. The team hopes to conduct a proof-of-concept study for a vaccine against influenza and demonstrate CrisBio’s application for rapid and large-scale human vaccine production.
CrisBio
Algenex states that current production methods for recombinant proteins present “a series of challenges in respect to development speed, scalability, technical complexity, and cost”. In response, a “simple and robust” automated process has been developed to enable productivity of gram/litre levels with an “extremely low investment and the upside of production flexibility and immediate scalability”.
Using pupae from the Trichoplusia ni, CrisBio has proven “efficient” in producing complex antigens. The technology modifies a baculovirus, an insect virus, with genetic instructions to produce a specific viral antigen. The baculovirus expression vector is then inserted into a chrysalis that has been reared in a laboratory, causing quick generation of large quantities of viral antigens.
Apart from the potential benefit of accelerated vaccine production, the technology offers faster turnaround times, scalable production, and lower costs. This would improve accessibility for lower- and middle-income countries.
Dr José Escribano, founder and General Manager of Algenex, looks forward to the expansion of CrisBio’s applications to human health needs.
“This extension allows us to fully unlock the potential of our platform, enabling the next generation of globally accessible human vaccines. Collaborating with CEPI further validates Algenex’s technology, previously acknowledged by EMA for veterinary vaccine production.”
Dr Escribano believes that “in the intricate landscape of vaccine manufacturing”, the platform brings “substantial advantages”. Ingrid Kromann, CEPI’s Acting Executive Director, Manufacturing and Supply Chain, emphasised that the partnership will “leverage” the technology as a “prelude to rapid vaccine manufacturing”.
“With new and re-emerging infectious diseases posing continual threats, the need for swift access to vaccines is critical to protecting vulnerable populations worldwide.”
How do you think this technology will shape vaccine development in the future? For more innovation and funding updates do subscribe to our newsletters or join us at the Washington Congress in April!
