BigDNA in link-up with university to fund vaccine research

A LIFE sciences company based at Roslin is to fund a research programme at Strathclyde University to develop a new way of delivering vaccines.

BigDNA will collaborate with Professor Bill Stimson and Dino Rotondo from the university's Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences.

The company's technology uses bacterial viruses to deliver vaccines. Instead of containing a tiny bit of the disease - as with current vaccines - the company's technique uses genetic instructions, or DNA, instead.

Chief executive Dr John March, who launched the firm in 2007 as a spin-out from the Moredun Research Institute, said the research would help him to optimise the firm's technology.

He added: "Outsourcing much of our basic research keeps our fixed costs low and allows us to access world-leading expertise, which would take years for us to develop in house.

"This fits exactly with the latest 'virtual company' model for biotechnology development."

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Nigel Gaymond, chief executive of the UK BioIndustry Association, said such collaborations benefit all parties concerned. He added: 'This allows BigDNA to access world-class research facilities, while providing useful financial income to the university.

"Strathclyde is at the forefront of participating in such partnerships, which are a central plank of government plans for the life sciences sector.'

A range of vaccines is currently under development by Big DNA. Clinical testing of its lead product, a Hepatitis B vaccine, will begin in 2012.