The Times reported on British researchers entering the race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine by modifying an existing cancer therapy. The article was about the research programme, initiated by portfolio company Scancell, to develop a vaccine. The project will be led by Professor Lindy Durrant, Chief Scientific Officer at Scancell and Professor of Cancer Immunotherapy at the University of Nottingham.
Scancell, the developer of novel immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, has developed a technique where DNA is injected into patients to create T-cells that recognise and destroy cancer cells. Her team are modifying the technique to produce T-cells that attack and kill cells that have been infiltrated.
“Most vaccines stimulate strong neutralising antibodies but weak T-cell responses. Although this is good enough for many viruses, for coronaviruses it seems that strong T-cell responses are also required,”
Professor Durrant, Scancell
Read the full article in the Times on Saturday here