Singapore: Melbourne University entered into an agreement with Indonesian vaccine maker, Bio Farma, to develop a vaccine delivery system that can boost the vaccine effectiveness for a range of infectious diseases, including hepatitis B/C, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and haemopilus influenza type-B. The collaboration will run for 18 months as presently the research is still in the level of proof-of-concept. Upon getting a result, the next step will be enhanced to a technology license level.

Under the proposed arrangement, Melbourne University receives research funding to further evaluate and develop a proof-of-concept. The research agreement was facilitated by UoM Commercial, the university's commercial engagement service company.

The research was led by Professor David Jackson's team in the department of microbiology and immunology at the University of Melbourne. The team showed that a synthetic TLR2 agonist-based adjuvant can enhance immunity and protect animals from viral and bacterial infections.

"Bio Farma is proud to collaborate with the University of Melbourne. This agreement will surely give us an opportunity to enhance our research capacity," said Dr Iskandar Obih Buhori, president director, Bio Farma, Indonesia. Dr Iskandar expressed hope that in the future the collaboration on a vaccine delivery system to boost vaccine effectiveness (vaccine adjuvant), would lead into a real contribution in the prevention of communicable disease in the world.

Professor James Angus, dean of the faculty of medicine, dentistry and health sciences at Melbourne University, "This agreement reflects the desire for research at the University of Melbourne to be translated into impact and recognizes the importance of collaboration with leading vaccine companies to achieve this goal."