Tropical Infectious Disease Consortium: Expanding and Accelerating Product Development
Lead Research Organisation:
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
The Confidence in Concept scheme is a key part of MRC’s translational research strategy and provides annual awards to institutions, to be used flexibly to support the earliest stages of multiple translational research projects. The award can be used by the institution to support a number of preliminary-stage translational projects. The projects supported should aim to provide sufficient preliminary data to establish the viability of an approach –– before seeking more substantive funding. It is intended to accelerate the transition from discovery research to translational development projects by supporting preliminary work or feasibility studies to establish the viability of an approach.
Organisations
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (Lead Research Organisation)
- PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND (Collaboration)
- Cyprotex (Collaboration)
- CN Bio Innovations Ltd (Collaboration)
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (Collaboration)
- Oxford Expression Technologies (Collaboration)
- Abzena plc (Collaboration)
- Eisai Ltd (Collaboration)
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (Collaboration)
- Pharmidex (Collaboration)
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (Collaboration)
- AstraZeneca (Collaboration)
- Bayer (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW (Collaboration)
- Cardiff University (Collaboration)
- IVCC (Collaboration)
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) (Collaboration)
- THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE (Collaboration)
- Abaxon Biologics (Collaboration)
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) (Collaboration)
- Newcells Biotech (Collaboration)
- AMR Centre (Collaboration)
Publications
Adden AK
(2023)
Tsetse flies (Glossina morsitans morsitans) choose birthing sites guided by substrate cues with no evidence for a role of pheromones.
in Proceedings. Biological sciences
Ainsworth S
(2018)
The medical threat of mamba envenoming in sub-Saharan Africa revealed by genus-wide analysis of venom composition, toxicity and antivenomics profiling of available antivenoms.
in Journal of proteomics
Ainsworth S
(2018)
The paraspecific neutralisation of snake venom induced coagulopathy by antivenoms.
in Communications biology
Albulescu LO
(2019)
A Decoy-Receptor Approach Using Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Mimics Reveals Their Potential as Novel Therapeutics Against Neurotoxic Snakebite.
in Frontiers in pharmacology
Arshad U
(2020)
Prioritization of Anti-SARS-Cov-2 Drug Repurposing Opportunities Based on Plasma and Target Site Concentrations Derived from their Established Human Pharmacokinetics.
in Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Baksmeier C
(2021)
Modified recombinant human IgG1-Fc is superior to natural intravenous immunoglobulin at inhibiting immune-mediated demyelination.
in Immunology
Bashford T
(2019)
Nuancing the need for speed: temporal health system strengthening in low-income countries.
in BMJ global health
| Description | Assessing the impact of epitope on the efficacy of engineered monoclonal antibody-based drugs against human malaria |
| Amount | £26,059 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | IAA2164 |
| Organisation | Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2023 |
| End | 12/2024 |
| Description | Avidity Engineering to improve mAb therapeutics for emerging viral infections. |
| Amount | £42,893 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2021 |
| End | 02/2022 |
| Description | CCHF Vaccine manufacturing and First in Human Clinical Trial |
| Amount | £1,999,524 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 971614 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2018 |
| End | 08/2020 |
| Description | CEIDR Translational Pump Priming |
| Amount | £45,435 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Centre for Excellence in Infectious Disease Research Innovations |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2019 |
| End | 09/2020 |
| Description | Click-chemistry to enhance therapeutic efficacy and translational potential of the IgG-Fc |
| Amount | £37,018 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Centre for Excellence in Infectious Disease Research Innovations |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2019 |
| End | 05/2020 |
| Description | DPFS |
| Amount | £1,490,692 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MR/R025401/1 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2018 |
| End | 09/2020 |
| Description | Departmental PhD studentship for Rik van der Veen, Nuffield Dept. of Medicine, University of Oxford |
| Amount | £95,430 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2018 |
| End | 09/2022 |
| Description | Departmental PhD studentship for Romain Guyon, Nuffield Dept. of Medicine, University of Oxford |
| Amount | £95,430 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2018 |
| End | 09/2022 |
| Description | Development of AWZ1066S, A Small Molecule anti-Wolbachia Candidate Macrofilaricide Drug |
| Amount | ￥433,581,260 (JPY) |
| Funding ID | G2019-202 |
| Organisation | Global Health Innovative Technology Fund |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Japan |
| Start | 03/2020 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | Enceph-IG - Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Autoimmune Encephalitis in Adults: A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial |
| Amount | £2,731,532 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NIHR EME Project 17/60/67 |
| Organisation | National Institute for Health Research |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2019 |
| End | 09/2024 |
| Description | Evaluate the potential of astraZeneca's sialic acid tag technology for treating influenza with fc molecules |
| Amount | £46,836 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | IAA2103 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 03/2024 |
| Description | Exapnding Excellence in England 'Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics' |
| Amount | £9,843,478 (GBP) |
| Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2024 |
| End | 07/2029 |
| Description | Expanding Excellence |
| Amount | £9,843,478 (GBP) |
| Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2024 |
| End | 07/2029 |
| Description | Exploiting glycosylation against COVID-19 |
| Amount | £185,675 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/V017772/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2020 |
| End | 06/2022 |
| Description | Forewarned is Forearmed: Developing an Insecticide Resistance Prediction Platform (IRPP) to Identify Cross-Resistance Mechanisms to New Insecticides for Proactive Management of Next-generation Malaria Vector Control Products |
| Amount | $3,628,363 (USD) |
| Funding ID | INV-062098 |
| Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 02/2024 |
| End | 01/2028 |
| Description | GHR |
| Amount | £2,498,575 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 16/137/114 |
| Organisation | National Institute of Health |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Italy |
| Start | 03/2017 |
| End | 06/2021 |
| Description | HPLC Analysis of Insecticides for new product development |
| Amount | £94,014 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MRA 26 Project Amendment 12 |
| Organisation | IVCC |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2023 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Description | ICF - Evaluate the potential of AstraZeneca's sialic acid tag technology for treating influenza viruses with Fc-molecules |
| Amount | £228,299 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MR/Y503459/1 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2024 |
| End | 03/2025 |
| Description | Impact Acceleration Accounts (IAA) Scheme ' Tropical Infectious Disease Consortium: Expanding and Accelerating Product Development |
| Amount | £306,774 (GBP) |
| Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 03/2025 |
| Description | Institutional Partnership Awards 'LSTM translational enabler' |
| Amount | £300,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2022 |
| End | 03/2023 |
| Description | Institutional Partnership Awards 'LSTM translational enabler' |
| Amount | £300,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2022 |
| End | 03/2023 |
| Description | MRC CiC - AAV-vectored delivery of engineered monoclonal antibodies as a prophylactic strategy against bloodstage malaria |
| Amount | £38,574 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | not known |
| Organisation | Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2021 |
| End | 02/2022 |
| Description | MRC TIDC IAA 2022 |
| Amount | £58,483 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MR_X502911_1 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2023 |
| End | 11/2024 |
| Description | MRC TIDC IAA 2022 |
| Amount | £59,081 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2023 |
| End | 11/2024 |
| Description | MRC Translational and Quantitative Skills Doctoral Training Programme in Global Health |
| Amount | £500,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2021 |
| End | 03/2025 |
| Description | NeovigTM: antiinflammatory intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) biomimetics for treating chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) |
| Amount | £40,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2021 |
| End | 02/2022 |
| Description | Phase 1 study of a MVA-based vaccine for Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever |
| Amount | £1,001,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 972213 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2016 |
| End | 12/2020 |
| Description | Preemptive discovery of insecticide cross-resistance mechanisms for next generation malaria control products |
| Amount | £769,618 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MR/V001264/1 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2021 |
| End | 01/2025 |
| Description | Research England Connecting Capability Fund: Bloomsbury SET Impact Connector Consortium |
| Amount | £1,900,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2021 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | Translational Development Fund |
| Amount | £2,700,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | LifeArc |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 03/2025 |
| Description | Translational and Quantitative Skills Doctoral Training Programme in Global Health |
| Amount | £1,950,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2021 |
| End | 03/2028 |
| Description | Tyrosine Pathway Inhibitors ATSB |
| Amount | $571,498 (USD) |
| Funding ID | INV-022192 |
| Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 09/2020 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | UKRI Futurer Leader Fellowship |
| Amount | £1,218,881 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MR/S03398X/1 |
| Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2020 |
| End | 06/2024 |
| Description | UKRI MRC Impact Acceleration Accounts (IAA) Scheme 'Tropical Infectious Disease Consortium: Expanding and Accelerating Product Development |
| Amount | £306,774 (GBP) |
| Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 03/2026 |
| Description | VaxHub Global |
| Amount | £10,000,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2023 |
| End | 02/2028 |
| Description | Wellcome Trust Innovator Award |
| Amount | £484,578 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2018 |
| End | 02/2019 |
| Description | surface analysis of new bednet/polymer formulations |
| Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | IVCC |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2019 |
| End | 09/2020 |
| Title | Assay for monitoring and evaluation of indoor residual spray operations |
| Description | Quality control of indoor residual spraying (IRS) is necessary to ensure that spray operators (SOs) deposit the correct concentration of insecticide on sprayed structures, while also confirming that spray records are not being falsified. A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed to rapidly monitor insecticide deposition for quality assessment of spray operations |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Has been used by malaria control operations on Bioko Island, Nigeria to improve spray performance |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-020-3118-y |
| Title | Glycan ELISA |
| Description | Novel ELISA to detect binding to glycan receptors |
| Type Of Material | Physiological assessment or outcome measure |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Understanding that antibodies can interact with a greater number of receptors than previously thought |
| URL | https://link.springer.com/protocol/10.1007%2F978-1-4939-8958-4_20 |
| Title | Multimerisation of recombinant monoclonal antibodies through changes in the Fc region |
| Description | We modified IgG heavy chain expression vectors to facilitate multirisation of recombinant monoclonal antibodies to enhance their avidity. Four different constructs were generated of which two form pentameric and hexameric IgG. Expression in HEK cells is now being optimised to increase the proportion of multimers as oppossed to monmeric IgG. |
| Type Of Material | Antibody |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Although the modifications in the Fc region of IgG have been described (Pleass group), they have not been tested with full length antibodies containing the variable region. The results from these investigations will expand the potential use of the strategies developed by the Pleass group (co-applicant) |
| Description | CCHF postive control antibody: Oxford Expression Technology |
| Organisation | Oxford Expression Technologies |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Using recombinant nucleoprotein for CCHF virus to develop monoclonal antibodies as part of a strategy to develop diagnostic serology assays. Provision of clinical samples for assay optimisation and validation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Production of recombinant proteins and assay optimisation. |
| Impact | Production of recombinant CCHF virus nucleoprotein in large scale using baculovirus expression systems. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | CN-Bio Development of Infection Organoids |
| Organisation | CN Bio Innovations Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration with CN-Bio for the development of Infection Organoids. CN-Bio provide the platforms and we provide the infection expertise and apply it to the development of a platform suitable for biological and translational investigations. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration with CN-Bio for the development of Infection Organoids. CN-Bio provide the platforms and we provide the infection expertise and apply it to the development of a platform suitable for biological and translational investigations. |
| Impact | The collaboration is still generating new data/information. The multi-disciplinary approach involves teams with expertise in cell/tissue engineering, infection and therapeutics discovery. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Collaborating with Abaxon Biologics |
| Organisation | Abaxon Biologics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Discussion are on-going with licensing monomeric-Fc patents covering new therapies for neurology |
| Collaborator Contribution | Due diligence |
| Impact | None as yet |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Collaboration to use our sequences to develop novel malaria MAbs with Professor Simon Draper |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Department | Jenner Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We developed novel Fc sequences from our Wellcome grant that allow for multimerization of mAbs. We provided Oxford with these sequences under CDA. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Oxford have made anti-malaria mAbs and shown that they multimerize in solution. These are currently being tested for efficacy in malaria growth inhibition assays. |
| Impact | on going |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Collaboration with Professor Alan Parker University of Cardiff |
| Organisation | Cardiff University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We provided modified glycosylated Fc to Alan Parker |
| Collaborator Contribution | They tested our molecules for binding to Adenoviral knob proteins |
| Impact | On-going |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Collaborative influenza work with Dr Elma Tchilian at Pirbright Institute |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided Dr Elam Tchilian with leads manufactured on the Wellcome grant for testing in microneutralhzation assays for influenza |
| Collaborator Contribution | Test leads in microneutralhzation assays of influenza |
| Impact | None yet work in progress |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Cyprotex |
| Organisation | Cyprotex |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration with Cyprotex for pharmacological studies understanding the mode of action of tafenoquine |
| Collaborator Contribution | Cyprotex have provided extensive support and access to a number of platforms |
| Impact | Outputs and outcomes still in development. The collaboration is multidisciplinary with respect to chemistry, biology and pharmacology expertise. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Determining the potency of hybrid antibiotics, informed by collateral sensitivity networks, against a panel of susceptible and resistant clinical Escherichia coli isolates |
| Organisation | AMR Centre |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The initial evolutionary investigations of resistance were carried out by us and this led to the idea of the current project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The AMR Centre will deliver workpackage 3; investigation the mechanism of action of the novel hybrid antimicrobials developed in this project. |
| Impact | None |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Developing blockers of Zika infection |
| Organisation | University of Glasgow |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration with Professor Alain Kohl |
| Collaborator Contribution | Will test our hypersialyaletd Fc fragments at controlling viruses |
| Impact | none yet |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Development of back-up molecules for the anti-Wolbachia macrofilaricidal pre-clinical candidate AWZ1066 |
| Organisation | AstraZeneca |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Carrying out pre-clinical efficacy and medicinal chemistry activities in search of AWZ1066 back-up molecules |
| Collaborator Contribution | Pre-clinical toxicology and safety profile of lead compounds |
| Impact | No outputs so far, ongoing |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Development of back-up molecules for the anti-Wolbachia macrofilaricidal pre-clinical candidate AWZ1066 |
| Organisation | Eisai Ltd |
| Department | Eisai Inc |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Carrying out pre-clinical efficacy and medicinal chemistry activities in search of AWZ1066 back-up molecules |
| Collaborator Contribution | Eisai will provide some chemistry and formulation expertise as well as formal pre-clinical pharmacology profiling |
| Impact | No outputs so dar, relationship ongoing |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Effect of nitisinone on susceptible and insecticide-resistant Anopheline and Aedine mosquitoes |
| Organisation | Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine |
| Department | Liverpool Insect Testing Establishment |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We tested out the killing effect that tyrosine inhibitor, nitisinone, on adult mosquitoes and oviposition (egg formation). |
| Collaborator Contribution | LITE supplied all the live mosquitoes and larvae for testing nitisinone effect. |
| Impact | Vionette-Amaral, RJ, Haines, L, Rose, C, Garcia, N, Barribeau, S, Oliveira, PL, Acosta-Serrano, A (2019). Mosquito tyrosine inhibition: an eco-friendly alternative for insecticide-based vector control. (in preparation) |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Film-forming systems for cutaneous leishmaniasis - industrial collaboration with Pharmidex and partnership with DNDI |
| Organisation | Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Topical treatment of skin diseases is desirable because i) the drug product is applied directly to the affected site, achieving high drug levels locally with limited systemic exposure and associated side effects, and ii) it is easy to apply increasing patient compliance. This project focuses on the exploration of polymeric film-forming systems (FFSs) as topical drug delivery system for pre-clinical candidate drugs for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). FFSs facilitates drug delivery by increasing the contact time and/ or maintaining the delivery of the drug to the local site of action by forming a drug reservoir in or on the skin. To evaluate the advantage of FFSs in the treatment of CL, cosmetic acceptable film-forming systems are selected and tested in their ability to enhance the skin permeation of two skin model permeants using in vitro Franz diffusion cells. In a second step, the experimental drug is incorporated in the most successful FFS and evaluated alongside a standard topical formulation in an in vivo experimental CL model. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Pharmidex as expert in bioanalysis, is involved in quantifying the experimental drug that permeates through skin upon topical administration. DNDi is the partner that provides the experimental compounds. |
| Impact | My collaboration with Pharmidex and DNDi started as part of my PhD in Professor Simon Crofts lab. I have since left Simon's group to take up a fellowship position at the University of York and this project was a great opportunity to construct my own collaboration with both Pharmidex and DNDi Pharmidex: We have 3 joint publications (PMC6153808, PMC5826151, PMC6709472) and have also successfully acquired H2020 funding for another joint project. DNDi: We have 3 joint publications (10.1016/j.ijpddr.2019.02.002, 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2019.06.003, 10.1128/aac.00829-19) |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Film-forming systems for cutaneous leishmaniasis - industrial collaboration with Pharmidex and partnership with DNDI |
| Organisation | Pharmidex |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Topical treatment of skin diseases is desirable because i) the drug product is applied directly to the affected site, achieving high drug levels locally with limited systemic exposure and associated side effects, and ii) it is easy to apply increasing patient compliance. This project focuses on the exploration of polymeric film-forming systems (FFSs) as topical drug delivery system for pre-clinical candidate drugs for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). FFSs facilitates drug delivery by increasing the contact time and/ or maintaining the delivery of the drug to the local site of action by forming a drug reservoir in or on the skin. To evaluate the advantage of FFSs in the treatment of CL, cosmetic acceptable film-forming systems are selected and tested in their ability to enhance the skin permeation of two skin model permeants using in vitro Franz diffusion cells. In a second step, the experimental drug is incorporated in the most successful FFS and evaluated alongside a standard topical formulation in an in vivo experimental CL model. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Pharmidex as expert in bioanalysis, is involved in quantifying the experimental drug that permeates through skin upon topical administration. DNDi is the partner that provides the experimental compounds. |
| Impact | My collaboration with Pharmidex and DNDi started as part of my PhD in Professor Simon Crofts lab. I have since left Simon's group to take up a fellowship position at the University of York and this project was a great opportunity to construct my own collaboration with both Pharmidex and DNDi Pharmidex: We have 3 joint publications (PMC6153808, PMC5826151, PMC6709472) and have also successfully acquired H2020 funding for another joint project. DNDi: We have 3 joint publications (10.1016/j.ijpddr.2019.02.002, 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2019.06.003, 10.1128/aac.00829-19) |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Flow cut-metric analysis of binding of leads to receptors |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Department | Jenner Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided Oxford with leads |
| Collaborator Contribution | Tested binding of leads to receptors |
| Impact | No outputs yet |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Glycomic characterisation of the IgG1-Fc glycan |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Determine glycan structures on our Fc-molecules |
| Collaborator Contribution | Stuart Haslam determined the glycan structures |
| Impact | Publication |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Hypersialylated Fcs for the treatment of antibody-mediated CNS demyelination and microglial activation |
| Organisation | Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf |
| Department | Institute of Neuropathology |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have made novel glycosylated Fc fragments to replace IVIg in the treatment of demyelination |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provide a ex-vivo model of neurodegeneration |
| Impact | none yet |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Hypersialylated blockers of Zika virus (ZIKV) infectivity and neuropathology. |
| Organisation | University of Glasgow |
| Department | Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are testing hypersialylated Fc molecules for controlling Zika mediated neurodegeneration |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provide virus models of neural degeneration |
| Impact | too early |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | LSHTM |
| Organisation | London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have led the development of the collaboration with LSHTM for a consortium that includes other national HEI partners all with a focus to support pump priming activities in the translational space relevant for infections that are significant to disadvantaged populations in the UK and abroad. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partner is an active member of the described consortium that gives significant in kind support with respect to resource and technical expertise. |
| Impact | Please see Research Fish for CiC and IAA awards. |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | Manufacture of lead Fc molecules by Abzena PLC |
| Organisation | Abzena plc |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Provide sequences and background knowledge |
| Collaborator Contribution | Specialist manufacture and analysis off key leads generated during grant |
| Impact | Acknowledgement in publications |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Molecular characterisation of insecticides and combination effects against mosquitoes |
| Organisation | Bayer |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Created and supervised PhD project |
| Collaborator Contribution | Bayer hosted PhD student and paid research costs in Germany and UK student fees, IVCC covered UK research costs |
| Impact | 4 publications - DOI's 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105051 10.1016/J.CRPVBD.2021.100041 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103813 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105356 multidisciplinary - molecular biology, biochemistry and pharmacology of insecticide metabolism, |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Molecular characterisation of insecticides and combination effects against mosquitoes |
| Organisation | IVCC |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Created and supervised PhD project |
| Collaborator Contribution | Bayer hosted PhD student and paid research costs in Germany and UK student fees, IVCC covered UK research costs |
| Impact | 4 publications - DOI's 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105051 10.1016/J.CRPVBD.2021.100041 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103813 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105356 multidisciplinary - molecular biology, biochemistry and pharmacology of insecticide metabolism, |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Newcells - LSTM Development of Infection Organoids |
| Organisation | Newcells Biotech |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Development of an organoid-infection model for SARS-CoV2 |
| Collaborator Contribution | Development of an organoid-infection model for SARS-CoV2 |
| Impact | Joint publication and funding applications |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | UKHSA |
| Organisation | Public Health England |
| Department | Public Health England Porton Down |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | We have led the development of the collaboration with UKHSA for a consortium that includes other national HEI partners all with a focus to support pump priming activities in the translational space relevant for infections that are significant to disadvantaged populations in the UK and abroad. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partner is an active member of the described consortium that gives significant in kind support with respect to resource and technical expertise. |
| Impact | Please see Research Fish for CiC and IAA awards. |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | University of Oxford |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have led the development of the collaboration with Oxford for a consortium that includes other national HEI partners all with a focus to support pump priming activities in the translational space relevant for infections that are significant to disadvantaged populations in the UK and abroad. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partner is an active member of the described consortium that gives significant in kind support with respect to resource and technical expertise. |
| Impact | Please see Research Fish for CiC and IAA awards. |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Title | CHIMERIC FC RECEPTOR BINDING PROTEINS AND USES THEREOF |
| Description | The present invention relates to chimeric proteins, to compositions comprising such proteins and to the medical uses of such proteins and compositions. In particular the proteins or compositions of the invention may be used in the prevention or treatment of autoimmune diseases or inflammatory diseases, or for the prevention or treatment of diseases mediated through binding of sialic acid dependent receptors, or as vaccines or as anti-cancer agents. One aspect of the invention relates to a chimeric Fc receptor binding protein which comprises two chimeric polypeptide chains, wherein each chimeric polypeptide chain comprises an immunoglobulin G heavy chain constant region, a tailpiece region and a hinge region, wherein the amino acid sequence of each polypeptide chain possess a sugar moiety at or close to the N-terminus and a sugar moiety at or close to the C- terminus, and their use in the treatment or prevention of a disease mediated by a pathogen that relies on sialic acid receptors interactions. |
| IP Reference | WO2019175605 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2019 |
| Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
| Impact | Currently in negotiations for licensing |
| Title | Encapsulation Method and Particle |
| Description | Microfluidics based technology for vaccine/drug encapsulation, forming core-shell microparticles for delayed in vivo delivery. Developed at the University of Oxford through a cross-disciplinary PhD project (Romain Guyon). |
| IP Reference | PCT/GB2023/050933 |
| Protection | Patent / Patent application |
| Year Protection Granted | 2023 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | Ongoing discussions for licencing/spin-out options. |
| Title | FUSION PROTEIN COMPRISING MULTIPLE HINGE SEQUENCES |
| Description | The invention relates to fusion polypeptides derived from IgG. The fusion polypeptides comprise a domain derived from an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region; and a plurality of hinge regions derived from IgG hinge sequences. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding the fusion polypeptides, and to proteins comprising two fusion polypeptides of the invention. Also provided are a pharmaceutical composition comprising a fusion polypeptide and/or protein of the invention, and medical uses of the polypeptides, proteins, or compositions. |
| IP Reference | WO2019175606 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2019 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | New approaches to deliver antigens that don't interfere with receptor binding |
| Title | IMMUNOMODULATORY PROTEINS |
| Description | A method for treatment of a mammalian subject for an autoimmune or inflammatory disease, the method comprising: administering to the mammalian subject an effective amount of a polymeric protein comprising five, six or seven polypeptide monomer units; wherein each polypeptide monomer unit comprises an Fc receptor binding portion comprising two immunoglobulin G heavy chain constant regions; wherein each immunoglobulin G heavy chain constant region comprises a cysteine residue which is linked via a disulfide bond to a cysteine residue of an immunoglobulin G heavy chain constant region of an adjacent polypeptide monomer unit; wherein the polymeric protein does not comprise a further immunomodulatory portion; or an antigen portion that causes antigen-specific immunosuppression when administered to the mammalian subject. |
| IP Reference | US2018362600 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2018 |
| Licensed | Yes |
| Impact | To UCB pharma from 2015-2017. To be licensed to CSL Behring from mid 2019 |
| Title | MONOMERIC PROTEINS AND USES THEREOF |
| Description | Provided are proteins comprising two chimeric polypeptide chains; wherein each chimeric polypeptide chain comprises an Fc receptor binding portion comprising two immunoglobulin G heavy chain constant regions; and an immunoglobulin tailpiece region. The amino acid sequence and glycosylation of the tailpiece region of the proteins is adapted, as compared to the sequence and glycosylation of wild-type immunoglobulin, to inhibit polymerisation of the protein. The adaptation of the amino acid sequence may be the loss of a cysteine residue, for example the cysteine residue corresponding to residue 248 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The proteins may be used in intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) therapy. They may be used in the prevention or treatment of a disease mediated through binding of sialic acid-dependent receptors. Proteins of the invention may be used in the prevention and/or treatment of autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. The proteins may be conjugated to an immune modulator, and in such cases are suitable for vaccine use. |
| IP Reference | WO2017191439 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2017 |
| Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
| Impact | Publication see Journal of Immunology 2018 |
| Title | Murine antibodies |
| Description | A mouse fusion protein comprising two chimeric polypeptide chains each comprising two murine IgG heavy chain chains having an immunoglobulin tailpiece from, or derived from, a non-native immunoglobulin and wherein the amino acid sequence of each of the IgG heavy chain constant regions comprises an amino acid modification (e.g. M84C) which promotes the multimerisation or polymerisation of the fusion protein. Preferably the tailpiece is human and is derived from IgM or IgA and has a substitution or deletion at residue C17. Preferably, each chimeric chain comprises one or more murine hinge regions and a targeting moiety such as an ntigen binding region, small molecule or nucleic acid. The invention further relates to the uses of the fusion protein to detect a target molecule in a sample, preferably as a means for diagnosis such as blood group haemagglutination. |
| IP Reference | GB2572008 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2019 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | none as yet |
| Description | 18th International Congress of Immunology Cape Town South Africa - Keynote Lecture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | 18th International Congress of Immunology Cape Town South Africa attendance Nov 27th- Dec 2nd 2023 and Keynote lecture on Development of Vaccines against Outbreak Pathogens enabling discussions with a wide variety of colleagues. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://iuis.org/events/iuis-2023/ |
| Description | Bluedot Festival; Can malaria be eliminated from the bluedot before we reach mars? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Bluedot is an annual music/ science festival held at Jodrell Bank that attracts 12 - 15,000 people. The talk on recent advances in malaria control held in a 200 seater auditorium was near capacity and attracted a diverse audience and age range (toddlers to retired). The presentation generated a great deal of interest and questions, particularly from teenage/ early 20's people citing interests in career opportunities in tropical medicine. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.discoverthebluedot.com/profile/can-malaria-be-eliminated-from-the-blue-dot-before-we-rea... |
| Description | Glycan engineering for vaccines presented at Pirbright |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | BSI frontiers in human immunology antibody discovery |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.immunology.org/events/frontiers-in-human-and-veterinary-antibody-discovery |
| Description | Industry visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Visit to LSTM laboratories by a group of 15 scientists, business people and funders involved in the development of new products to control mosquito vectors of disease. Include small and large companies including Mitsui, BASF, Vestergaard, Syngenta, BMGF. Discussions revolved around the application of research on new diagnostic insecticide resistance probes, transgenic mosquitoes, analytical methods for quality assurance of new products, future direction of vector control reseach |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | International Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Invited Speaker 19th May 2018. 11th International Congress on Autoimmunity. Lisbon. Invited by Fabian Kasermann CSL Behring. N-terminal hinge glycosylation brings novel receptor binding properties to human IgG1-Fc multimers and monomers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://autoimmunity.kenes.com/2018#.W8CDcS2ZNBy |
| Description | Interview with Proteogenix |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Spoke and wrote about my thoughts on antibodies and their role in controlling Sars-CoV-2 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.proteogenix.science/scientific-corner/antibody-production/interview-professor-richard-pl... |
| Description | Invited Lecture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | 19th September 2018. IITM Perspectives Meeting: Biologics as Therapeutics. Invited by Profs. Chris Tang and Helen McShane. University of Oxford. N-terminal hinge glycosylation for novel receptor interactions of IgG Fc monomers and multimers . University of Oxford doctoral training programme. I provided the wisdom of my experience about translating research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://iitmoxford.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/booklet_iitm_symposium-2018.pdf |
| Description | Pint of Science: PHE's response to Ebola and emerging threats! |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | An informal presentation event to widen the reach of scientific research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://pintofscience.co.uk/event/beating-the-bugs-from-the-ebola-outbreak-to-superbugs |
| Description | Poster presentation and participation in CEIDR Innovations Industry Symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Networking with broad industry and academic audience leading to new connections |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Poster presentation and participation in IVCC Stakeholder meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Poster presentation and networking discussions with members of industry, policy-makers and field operatives involved in the production of new tools to control mosquitoes and malaria |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Presentation at the Jenner Institute Anniversary symposium - The Royal Society, London |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation showcasing our work on vaccine encapsulation which attracted interest from two potential industrial partners and was followed up by further informal discussions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Presentation to the Wellcome Trust |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Supporters |
| Results and Impact | Presented my translational activity to the Wellcome Trust as part of a successful bid for Wellcome Trust Translational Partnership Funding |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Presented our work at British Society for Parasitology |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented talk "Glycan engineering of the IgG1-Fc for therapeutic and vaccine applications |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.lstmed.ac.uk/news-events/news/the-british-society-for-parasitology-autumn-symposium-in-l... |
| Description | Presented our work at the British Society for Immunology 2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented our work at the BSI meeting held in Liverpool |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.bsicongress.com/bsi/frontend/reg/titem.csp?pageID=1399&eventID=2&eventID=2 |
| Description | Seminar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | My seminar on my Wellcome Trust research is available to view at: https://www.lstmed.ac.uk/news-events/seminars-and-lectures/engineering-the-igg1-fc-for-enhanced-therapeutic-applications-a |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.lstmed.ac.uk/news-events/seminars-and-lectures/engineering-the-igg1-fc-for-enhanced-ther... |
| Description | Talk at the Global Health Drug Discovery Institute (GHDDI), Beijing, China |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Talk at the Global Health Drug Discovery Institute (GHDDI), Beijing, China in December 2019, around the role of academia in drug discovery. The talk was attended by over 50 delegates, from academia, industry and research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Webinar for Vellore Institute of Technology, India |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The Webinar "Preemptive discovery of insecticide cross-resistance mechanisms for next generation malaria control products" was on the invitation of the VIT Centre for Nanobiotechnology as part of the VIT-CNBT International Webinar Series. The purpose was to present the latest research being done in my group in the area of mosquito control. Around 50 people attended and there were a number of questions and discussion around the use of chemicoproteomic approaches for mapping resistance mechanisms. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Work highlighted by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Our Wellcome Trust funded work on influenza was highlighted |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.genengnews.com/news/influenza-drug-platform-could-yield-candidates-for-multiple-pathogen... |
| Description | Work highlighted in the journal Nature |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Our work was highlighted by Nature |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.nature.com/magazine-assets/d41586-019-02753-8/d41586-019-02753-8.pdf |
| Description | new anti-influenza drugs highlighted by Science Daily |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190125120114.htm |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190125120114.htm |