Vaccitech
Company type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Biotechnology |
Founded | 2016 |
Founders | Sarah Gilbert, Adrian Hill |
Headquarters | Oxford, United Kingdom |
Key people | Bill Enright (CEO) |
Products | Vaccines, Immunotherapies |
Website | vaccitech.co.uk |
Vaccitech is a biotechnology company based in Oxford, United Kingdom, known for its pioneering work in the development of vaccines and immunotherapies. The company was founded in 2016 by Sarah Gilbert and Adrian Hill, both of whom are prominent figures in the field of vaccinology. Vaccitech is notable for its role in the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
History[edit | edit source]
Vaccitech was established as a spin-out from the University of Oxford's Jenner Institute, which is renowned for its research in vaccine development. The company was founded with the aim of commercializing the innovative vaccine technologies developed at the Jenner Institute.
In 2020, Vaccitech gained international recognition for its collaboration with AstraZeneca in the development of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, commonly known as the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine was one of the first to be approved for emergency use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Technology[edit | edit source]
Vaccitech's core technology is based on the use of viral vectors to deliver antigens to the immune system. The company primarily uses the ChAdOx1 viral vector, which is derived from a chimpanzee adenovirus. This vector is engineered to be replication-deficient, meaning it cannot replicate in human cells, making it a safe and effective platform for vaccine delivery.
The ChAdOx1 vector is used to deliver genetic material encoding antigens from pathogens, such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus, to stimulate an immune response. This technology has been applied not only to COVID-19 but also to other infectious diseases and cancer immunotherapies.
Products and Pipeline[edit | edit source]
Vaccitech's product pipeline includes vaccines and immunotherapies for a range of diseases. In addition to the COVID-19 vaccine, the company is developing candidates for diseases such as influenza, hepatitis B, and prostate cancer.
COVID-19 Vaccine[edit | edit source]
The Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, developed in collaboration with AstraZeneca, uses the ChAdOx1 vector to deliver the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It has been distributed globally and is a key component of the COVAX initiative to provide vaccines to low- and middle-income countries.
Other Programs[edit | edit source]
Vaccitech is also working on a universal influenza vaccine, which aims to provide broad protection against multiple strains of the influenza virus. Additionally, the company is exploring the use of its technology in cancer immunotherapy, with a focus on developing treatments for prostate cancer.
Collaborations and Partnerships[edit | edit source]
Vaccitech has established partnerships with several pharmaceutical companies and research institutions to advance its vaccine and immunotherapy programs. These collaborations are crucial for the development and distribution of its products.
Also see[edit | edit source]
- Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
- University of Oxford
- Vaccine development
- ChAdOx1
- Sarah Gilbert
- Adrian Hill
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