In situ generated artificial immunity against Campylobacter

Lead Research Organisation: University of Cambridge
Department Name: Veterinary Medicine

Abstract

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Publications

10 25 50
 
Description IP-Pragmatics performed desk-based market and stakeholder research around an idea that we have for the development of novel biotherapeutics and biological logistic solutions for Campylobacter colonisation of chickens.

Specifically, through BBSRC Pathfinder (BB/S009817/1), stakeholder engagement has identified that data from first-in-chicken studies would be sufficient for industry partners. However, due to the unmet need for a Campylobacter intervention, companies are willing to begin partnering early to guide further development of the technology.

Impact: Through licensing to global animal health companies, the technology would greatly reduce the amount of Campylobacter in poultry which has been directly linked to campylobacteriosis in humans.

Potential societal and economic impacts: At the retail stage, benefits would include improved quality that can increase market share and make it easier to adhere to regulations. The consumer would benefit from improved quality of meat through a lower risk of food poisoning. Health providers would benefit from fewer cases of campylobacteriosis and associated conditions, therefore reducing the economic burden of the disease, estimated at ~£1B and $1.7B USD in the UK and US pa.

Through the work conducted in our BBSRC Pathfinder (BB/S009817/1), IP-Pragmatics estimate the potential accessible market for poultry vaccines to be $1B with a Campylobacter vaccine representing part of this. The poultry market is set to increase over the coming years likely resulting in an increase in Campylobacter-related illness. It is anticipated that regulatory bodies would introduce measures to make Campylobacter interventions compulsory or highly recommended for the control of Campylobacter if this technology proved to be effective. Chicken breeders upfront the costs, so pricing would be calculated through a cost-based approach.

IP-pragmatics (BB/S009817/1) identified that there are few direct competitors with no current vaccine for Campylobacter and few companies using live biotherapeutics in animals. The pipeline for Campylobacter treatments/preventions for humans is also empty; a C. jejuni capsular polysaccharide glycoconjugate is the only vaccine in development stages for humans.

The patent landscape analysis completed for BB/S009817/1 has identified that the most promising route for IP protection is likely to be through filing a patent application specifically around the use of selected antibody fragments targeting particular Campylobacter-antigens in combination with the probiotic delivery system, rather than a broader filing on the platform technology/concept per se.
Exploitation Route The market and stakeholder research conducted by IP Pragmatics for this project have been used as supporting data and narrative to develop a BBSRC responsive mode application that is currently in for consideration.
Sectors Agriculture

Food and Drink

Healthcare

Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology

 
Description Novel biotherapeutic strategies for the control of Campylobacter in chicken
Amount £25,987 (GBP)
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2020 
End 08/2020
 
Description Novel biotherapeutics for the prevention and control of Campylobacter spp. in chickens
Amount £528,212 (GBP)
Funding ID BB/V015044/1 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2022 
End 07/2025
 
Description Novel biotherapeutic strategies for the control of Campylobacter in chickens 
Organisation AstraZeneca
Department MedImmune
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Award of a BBSRC Impact Acceleration Account grant to Dr Grant. Grant will start on 1st April 2020. Dr grant will provide background knowledge into teh research to be conducted in the proposal.
Collaborator Contribution AstraZeneca will provide access to their scFv antibody fragment library to enable Dr Grant to conduct a screen and identify antibodies with the potential of treating and / or preventing Campylobacter in chickens
Impact No outputs at present
Start Year 2020