UBC researchers at Canada’s Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub (CIEBH) have been awarded more than $31.4 million in provincial funding for three projects that will accelerate the development of advanced vaccines and therapeutics in British Columbia for all Canadians.
The investment through the BC Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF) supports cutting-edge research infrastructure, including the creation of an Advanced Therapeutics Manufacturing Facility (ATMF) on UBC’s Vancouver campus, which will enable researchers to develop and produce clinical-grade treatments that meet Health Canada’s stringent quality standards for use in clinical trials.
The projects are all part of CIEBH’s mission to position B.C. and Canada as global leaders in next-generation immune-based therapeutics, like mRNA vaccines, antibody treatments and cell- and gene-based therapies. To do this, CIEBH is establishing a seamless drug development pathway that will enable Canada to mount a rapid response to future pandemics and other health challenges.
“We are grateful to the Government of B.C. for this investment, which will help take B.C.’s life sciences sector to the next level by providing UBC researchers with the equipment they need to discover, develop and test lifesaving vaccines and therapeutics right here at home,” says Dr. Dermot Kelleher, UBC’s vice-president, health, and dean of the faculty of medicine. “These projects fill a critical need, ensuring we have the domestic capabilities to turn discoveries into patient-ready products so that we can respond rapidly to future threats, while addressing the most pressing health challenges facing Canadians today.”
“These projects fill a critical need, ensuring we have the domestic capabilities to turn discoveries into patient-ready products.”
Dr. Dermot Kelleher
By bringing together more than 50 academic, industry, not-for-profit and health system partners, CIEBH is bridging the strengths of B.C.’s leading life sciences ecosystem with key national and international collaborators. The provincial BCKDF funding builds on a more than $140-million federal investment in CIEBH announced earlier this year through the Canada Biomedical Research Fund (CBRF) and Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund (BRIF) as part of Canada’s Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy.
In addition to the ATMF, the provincial BCKDF investment supports two projects that will further advance B.C.’s leadership in critical next-generation therapeutics platforms.
The AVENGER project, led by Drs. Pieter Cullis and Anna Blakney at UBC, will create a library of RNA vaccine formulations that can be custom designed and rapidly deployed against pandemic pathogens and other diseases. PROGENITER, a project led by UBC’s Dr. Sriram Subramaniam, will leverage advanced cryo-electron microscopy and AI-enabled drug discovery to build a suite of ready-to-deploy antibody treatments for pathogens with high pandemic potential.
Each of the three projects features components focused on training and talent development, supporting the growth of Canada’s life sciences sector and creating opportunities for early career researchers.
“With national and multi-sector collaborations, CIEBH is fostering the connections, discoveries, talent and innovation that will ensure our life sciences sector can thrive and respond rapidly to the health needs of British Columbians and Canadians,” says Dr. Michelle Wong, executive director of CIEBH. “We are sincerely grateful to the provincial government and all our CIEBH partners for their commitment to realizing this vision.”
Learn more about each of the UBC projects receiving BCKDF funding.
UBC-led projects
- Canada’s Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub Advanced Therapeutics Manufacturing Facility (ATMF)
Lead Researcher: Megan Levings (Surgery / School of Biomedical Engineering)
The project involves development of an Advanced Therapeutics Manufacturing Facility (ATMF) for producing gene- and cell-based medicines for use in humans to treat a variety of diseases. ATMF aims to provide a good manufacturing practice (GMP) facility that includes the processes, equipment, and environment for production of advanced therapeutics, including vaccine and cell therapies, at the quantity needed for human testing and with the quality mandated by Health Canada.
BCKDF funding to UBC: $22,233,818.
- PROGENITER: Pathogen Response Optimization by GENeratIng ThErapeutics Rationally
Lead Researcher: Sriram Subamaniam (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology / Gobind Khorana Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Precision Cancer Drug Design)
Partnering Institution: Simon Fraser University
Using advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, the PROGENITER program will work to discover and advance techniques to produce clinical-grade antibodies capable of combating pandemic threats.
BCKDF funding to UBC: $6,029,657
- AVENGER: Advanced LNP RNA Vaccines Engineered with Next-Generation designs to Enhance Pandemic Readiness
Lead Researcher: Pieter Cullis (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Partnering Institution: Simon Fraser University
This project will advance messenger RNA vaccine technology that played a crucial role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The advancements will include lowering doses of vaccines, lengthening immunity to viruses and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, decreasing manufacturing costs and making treatments more accessible.
BCKDF funding to UBC: $3,146,372