Developing self-amplifying (sa) RNA VAccines Against Pandemic Virus Threats

 
Director: Sir Michael Houghton Co-Director: D. Lorne Tyrrell
CBRF: $13.2M  BRIF: $22.1M

 

This program is focused on developing a type of mRNA vaccine, called a self-amplifying or saRNA vaccine. Funding will explore the possibilities this new technology promises, including lower doses, fewer side effects, stronger immunity, and faster production compared to previous mRNA and protein sub-unit vaccines. It is led by Sir Dr. Michael Houghton, winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and Dr. Lorne Tyrrell at the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥. Team members from the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥, Manitoba, Saskatchewan/VIDO, Queen's, and Memorial University will work together to develop this broadly applicable vaccine platform, which will target viral infections of current concern, such as avian influenza H5N1, Mpox, Lassa virus, and other WHO Priority Pathogens, all of which could threaten Canada in the future. 

Their CBRF program:

  • Specializes in optimizing mRNA vaccines and their method of delivery into human cells, the lipid nanoparticle (LNP).
  • Is partnered with Dr. Pieter Cullis' CBRF-BRIF program, AVENGER: Advanced LNP RNA Vaccines Engineered with Next-Generation designs to Enhance pandemic Readiness.
    • Together, these two programs will build research and infrastructure initiatives to make the next generation of commercially produced mRNA-LNP vaccines available for Canadians.

 

Their BRIF Infrastructure funding, in partnership with Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation, will:

  • Significantly enhance the Critical Medicines Production Centre (CMPC), their Canadian Critical Drug Initiative (CCDI) funded facility in Edmonton. This will make it one of the largest biomanufacturing facilities in Canada.
    • The CMPC is currently under construction, with a plan to be operational by Q4 of 2026.

Team Members

Michael Houghton, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥

Tom Hobman, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥

Vanessa Meier-Stephenson, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥

Paul Kubes, University of Calgary

Darryl Falzarano, University of Saskatchewan

Andrew MacIsaac, Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation

Hosna Jabbari, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Machine Intelligence Institute

Lloyd B Jeffs, Cytiva

 

D. Lorne Tyrrell, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥

Timothy Caulfield, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥

Wendy Magee, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥

Jason Kindrachuk, University of Manitoba

John Lok Man Law, Memorial University of Newfoundland

David Staszak, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Machine Intelligence Institute

Russ Greiner, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Machine Intelligence Institute

Ying Yu, Cytiva