QUEENSLAND BREAKTHROUGH IN VACCINE RESEARCH

Queensland research now being commercialised by a Brisbane company could prove to be the biggest discovery in vaccine research in 20 years.

Minister for State Development John Mickel said Replikun Biotech Pty Ltd had pioneered vaccine building technology that re-educates the body’s own immune system to identify and destroy serious infections such as HIV AIDS and Influenza, and cancers.

“The new technology is based on a rare virus, Kunjin virus, found amongst an Aboriginal population living in the wet tropics of North Queensland some 40 years ago. Despite its long association with a human population, it had failed to produce disease,” he said.

“Because the Kunjin virus is well tolerated by cells it can be used as the basis for vaccines that can be administered safely.

“I’m pleased to be able to say that the Queensland Government, through its independent investment company teQstart, has invested $250,000 in Replikun, along with venture capital firm Start-Up Australia which has invested nearly $1.9 million. We hope other private investors will get on board – this technology has the potential to save millions of lives and reach a global market for vaccine and gene therapy currently valued at around $22 billion.”

Replikun CEO Dr Shane Storey said the company’s technology used the Kunjin Replicon, a fragment of the basic Kunjin genetic material, or genome, to form the building block of a new generation of vaccines.

“We owe a great deal to Queensland Health researchers Professor Edwin Westaway and UQ Associate Professor Alex Khromykh who in the late 1990s discovered that the virus’ infective genes could be removed without disturbing the wonderful biology of the replicon. This allows for other genes – for molecules like vaccines or other therapeutic proteins – to be inserted into the replicon and be delivered to the inside of cells, where they are most effective.

“With further work by the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) and the University of Queensland (UQ) it became clear that here was the ability to create an authentic mimicry of some very sophisticated viral infections – exactly what you want in a vaccine.”

Dr Storey said pre-clinical trials at UQ and QIMR were posting a 100% success rate.

Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.

Company contact details: Dr Shane A Storey, CEO, Replikun Biotech Pty Ltd
Level 1, 80 Jephson Street
Toowoong Qld 4006
Tel: 3327 9829
Email: shane.storey@replikun.com.au
Web: www.replikun.com.au

6 November, 2006