The co-development of a self-replicating mRNA-based vaccine kicked off today. The collaboration combined Arcturus’ STARR technology with Duke-NUS’ rapid screening platform developed by Professor Ooi Eng Eong’s team. The hope was to create an effective, single-dose vaccine in Singapore.
OOI ENG EONG AND HIS TEAM BUILT EXPERTISE IN UNDERSTANDING WHAT CAUSES VACCINATION SIDE EFFECTS, KNOWLEDGE THAT MADE THEM WELL-SUITED TO PARTNER WITH ARCTURUS
Ooi, a dengue researcher at heart, was the lead principal investigator for the preclinical studies, to which he would apply his expertise and understanding of vaccine development to serve the nation.
“We’d been studying how humans respond to the yellow fever vaccine, and found the causes of common vaccine side effects and the genes that need to be switched on or off to produce immune responses that give durable protection. And that’s what we want from a vaccine,” says Ooi, who was keen to leverage this knowledge in the partnership with Arcturus.
“With a solid scientific foundation, we knew what milestones to look out for,” he adds; milestones that would give the team the confidence that they were on the right track in the quest for a COVID-19 vaccine.
“Duke-NUS has been on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19, developing the first serological tests for the infection, and was among the first groups to isolate and culture the virus. The partnership with Arcturus Therapeutics combines complementary strengths as we work together to fight this global outbreak,” said Professor Thomas Coffman, Dean of Duke-NUS, when the deal was announced.
This collaboration came about after weeks of fast-paced talks between Arcturus, Duke-NUS and Singapore’s Economic Development Board.
Commenting on the partnership, Ooi said at the time, “There is a tremendous urgency to develop an effective prevention for the current coronavirus crisis. The Duke-NUS and Arcturus partnership could expedite a solution to this pressing need as we utilise STARR technology to bring a vaccine candidate for clinical testing in the shortest time possible.”