710296Optimisation of bacteriophage M13-based DNA and chimeric (DNA/ protein) vaccinesClosedGRD Proof of ConceptInnovate UKBacteriophage (phage) offer the potential to deliver both protein and DNA vaccines within the same construct. They also promise extremely rapid development and manufacturing timescales, since the DNA vaccine cassette can be synthesised to express antigens for virtually any pathogen, literally within days following sequence identification. Phage are extremely robust, and can be delivered orally or in combination with other vaccines, and being particulate antigens, are naturally targeted to antigen presenting cells. BigDNA holds patents surrounding bacteriophage-based DNA and DNA/protein (chimeric) vaccines. To date, our focus has been on using bacteriophage lambda. The company now wishes to explore the potential for using phage M13 as an alternative vehicle for this technology. M13 is extremely well characterised with an excellent manufacturing base, and offers enormous technological potential. Phage-based DNA vaccine technology has been developed and patented by BigDNA in the UK, and has already attracted overseas investment, commercial collaborative R & D activity, and a licensing agreement with big pharma. This project aims to investigate the potential of a range of modifications designed to optimise and develop M13 as a platform for this purpose which should result in a vaccine platform and products capable of addressing a wide range of infectious diseases and cancers for which current vaccines either do not exist, or alternatively, cannot be developed in the rapid timescales likely required for pandemic disease indications.