Advertisement

Taking UQ research from the lab to 100 million doses of vaccine

Health giant CSL has signed an agreement to start manufacturing the University of Queensland’s vaccine contender – first for clinical trials, then potentially the world.

Jun 05, 2020, updated Jun 05, 2020
University of Queensland researchers work on a potential COVID-19 vaccine. (Source: UQ)

University of Queensland researchers work on a potential COVID-19 vaccine. (Source: UQ)

The agreement between the formerly Commonwealth-owned pharmaceutical company, UQ and funding backer the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) will see production capacity ramped up at CSL’s Melbourne facility.

While clinical trials and other scientific and regulatory hurdles still need to be overcome, CSL is planning to produce up to 100 million doses toward the end of 2021. It will also subcontract other manufacturers overseas to increase the numbers of doses of the vaccine, which is expected to be one of several different formulas and technologies to be made available.

UQ is hoping to start phase one clinical trials next month – only six months after the virus SARS-CoV2, and disease COVID-19, first hit Australia. It makes UQ a world leader, and one of only five vaccine candidates to have a deal with CEPI.

State Innovation Minister Kate Jones said the Queensland vaccine candidate was “one of the most promising in the world”.

“This has the potential to save thousands of lives not only in Queensland but across the globe,” Jones said.

Queensland is also recording some of the best COVID-19 outcomes in Australia, with no new cases overnight, and the tally remaining at 1,060 as of Friday morning.

In a statement, UQ Vice-Chancellor Peter Høj said that formalising the arrangements around the university’s “molecular clamp” solution and planning for production would benefit Australians and the world.

“We are absolutely delighted at the speed with which we have been able to reach this critical juncture, and off the back of positive results from our early preclinical studies,” Høj said.

“This accelerated timeframe, hitting the key milestones in the development of the UQ vaccine, would not have been possible without CEPI, our partners and additional funding assistance from the Queensland State Government ($10m), the Federal Government ($5m) and philanthropic partners.”

CSL expects to be able to supply doses for phase two and three clinical trials.

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said that unlike flu pandemics, where a vaccine could be developed in six weeks, COVID-19 was a new threat. That would require public health restrictions to remain in place longer.

“It was very clear from day one we wouldn’t get a vaccine for at least 12 months and it looks like it’s going to be much longer than that,” Young told InQueensland this week.

InQueensland in your inbox. The best local news every workday at lunch time.
By signing up, you agree to our User Agreement andPrivacy Policy & Cookie Statement. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

“I hope I’m wrong, I hope this all resolves much earlier, I’d love it to all go away. But I suspect it won’t (before then).”

Young was today in a meeting of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk assured Queenslanders their social distancing efforts were paying off.

At a press conference at Brisbane’s Story Bridge Hotel, Palaszczuk said the latest easing of restrictions would lead to an enjoyable Queensland Day on Saturday and “bumper weekend” for the hospitality sector.

“Every single Queenslander should be proud of the health response, it has been absolutely incredible,” Palaszczuk said.

Palaszczuk urged caution, however, and for businesses to develop and apply their COVID-19 plans and take health and industry advice seriously.

“We know how much Queenslanders love being Queenslanders,” the Premier said.

“You will still be able to enjoy a beer, sit down at a table and catch up with your friends and mates.”

Palaszczuk also announced a state-funded hardship payment of $1500 to support casual workers required to stay home due to a COVID-19 diagnosis. This covers a gap in federal arrangements and will reduce the risk of people working while contagious.

Local News Matters
Advertisement

We strive to deliver the best local independent coverage of the issues that matter to Queenslanders.

Copyright © 2024 InQueensland.
All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy