Jenner Vaccine Institute expands to link with Oxford University and Institute forAnimal Health
1 November 2005
The Edward Jenner Institute for Vaccine Research moves into a new era on 1 November 2005, merging with the vaccine programmes of the University of Oxford and the Institute for Animal Health (IAH). It will be led by Professor Adrian Hill, and will focus on human vaccine development at Oxford University and veterinary vaccines at the IAH.
The Jenner Institute was established in 1995 as the national vaccine research institute in an innovative public-private partnership, between the Medical Research Council (MRC), the BBSRC, the Department of Health and GlaxoSmithKline (formerly GlaxoWellcome), to support the UK’s scientific lead in vaccines research. GlaxoSmithKline provided £10 million to build and equip the building, and annual running costs of up to £6 million were guaranteed for five years and were provided by Glaxo Wellcome (£3 million), the MRC (£1.5 million), BBSRC (£1 million), and the Department of Health (£0.5 million). Subsequently funding was extended for a further five years. Its scientific programmes, led by Professor Peter Beverley, have made important contributions to many fundamental aspects of vaccinology and the immune response to infection.
Now, the work of the last ten years will be built upon and linked to leading translational research and development programmes in vaccinology at Oxford and at the IAH. The headquarters will now be in Oxford, with a focus on veterinary vaccines in both the current Jenner Building at Compton and the IAH itself. Professor Brian Greenwood of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine will chair the new Board of Trustees.
The new institute will have exceptional critical mass to address the full range of research in vaccinology, from fundamental research to vaccine manufacture, clinical trials and field efficacy studies. Linking leading research programmes in veterinary and human vaccinology, for example in the prevention of tuberculosis or influenza, is an innovative approach that should accelerate new vaccine development in both areas.
Oxford University has a world-leading programme of vaccine research with scientists across a range of disciplines working on vaccines for numerous infectious diseases. New candidate vaccines for malaria, HIV and tuberculosis developed at the University are currently in clinical trials in Oxford and at several sites in Africa. The University has recently opened a new Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine which will support clinical trials of the Institute’s new vaccines. Professor Hill’s research group has led the development of new vaccines strategies for inducing powerful cellular immunity to intracellular pathogens including malaria and tuberculosis. Professor Andrew McMichael heads a leading HIV vaccine development programme and Professor Richard Moxon’s group has undertaken important research on many new childhood vaccines. The university has major infectious disease research programmes overseas in Vietnam, Thailand, Kenya and The Gambia that will co-develop vaccines with the Institute.
The IAH is an international research centre with expertise in a number of important infectious diseases that threaten livestock, both in the UK and around the world. Research at IAH into avian flu, bovine tuberculosis and foot-and-mouth disease will form headline programmes within the new venture. Avian flu presents a major health threat to poultry and, potentially, people; Dr John McCauley will lead a programme of work directed towards answering some key questions relating to the spread of avian flu viruses. Studies by Professor Chris Howard’s group to understand immunity to bovine TB in cattle are contributing to the development of an effective cattle vaccine. A large team of IAH scientists are looking to develop the next generation of diagnostic tests and vaccines for foot-and-mouth disease that can pick out infected animals in a vaccinated herd.
Professor Adrian Hill (Oxford University) said: ‘This provides a unique opportunity to bring together a remarkable range of expertise in both human and veterinary vaccine research and development to tackle some of the greatest challenges to global health. With new recognition of the broader impact of poverty-related diseases, the threat of bioterrorism and with recent veterinary and human disease epidemics, vaccine development has never been more important.’
Professor Peter Beverley (Jenner Institute) said: ‘This new phase of the Institute’s development will be an exciting opportunity to bring together fundamental and translational research to attack major world health problems and I wish Professor Hill every success.’
IAH Acting Director Professor Martin Shirley said: ‘I am delighted that the IAH will be an equal partner with Oxford University in the new Jenner Institute. IAH scientists are looking forward to working with colleagues from Oxford University to develop the full potential of this collaborative venture.’
For more information contact:
Tracey Duncombe, Press Officer (IAH), 01635577241, tracey.duncombe@bbsrc.ac.uk
Ruth Collier, PressOfficer (Oxford University),01865 280532, ruth.collier@admin.ox.ac.uk
Notes for Editors
- The programmes of research of the new Jenner Institute will be carried out within a multi-site institute based at the University’s Division of Medical Sciences in Headington, Oxford and at the Compton site of the IAH.
- The Edward Jenner Institute for Vaccine Research was formed in 1995 and moved to its purpose-built laboratory at Compton Berkshire within the grounds of the IAH in 1998. Glaxo Wellcome provided £10 million to build and equip the building, and annual running costs of up to £6 million were guaranteed for five years and were provided by Glaxo Wellcome (£3 million), the MRC (£1.5 million), BBSRC (£1 million), and the Department of Health (£0.5 million). Subsequently funding was extended for a further five years.
- The IAH is the largest research institute in the UK dedicated to the study of infectious diseases in farm animals and is one of eight research institutes sponsored by the BBSRC. Its mission is: ‘to deliver high quality fundamental, strategic and applied science into infectious animal disease and, from that knowledge, to advance veterinary and medical science, enhance the sustainability of livestock farming, improve animal welfare, safeguard the supply and safety of food, and protect public health and the environment.’
- Oxford University is an internationally renowned centre for teaching and research with a leading programme of global health research and application.
