Two Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-P) involving The University of Queensland have received funding under the Federal Government program, which provides support for industry-led research collaborations.
The first project involving UQ will be led by Brisbane biotechnology company Vaxxas and involves advancing the development and clinical testing of the first COVID-19 vaccine delivered using a needle-free skin patch.
UQ's Dr David Muller said the patch technology could better prepare the world for future pandemics.
"The COVID-19 vaccine patch has the potential to simplify vaccine administration and remove the need for cold chain storage," Dr Muller said.
"Particularly in a pandemic situation, this could reduce distribution costs and make vaccination more accessible.
"This funding supports further development of the technology including Phase II clinical studies and is another step closer to the Vaxxas patch being licenced and manufactured," Dr Muller said.
The second project, led by VivaZome Therapeutics, involves UQ, ANU, La Trobe University, Seerpharma and Global Life Sciences Solutions Australia, to produce customised exosomes with the potential to be used as drug delivery systems.
UQ's Professor David Reutens said customised exosomes could revolutionise the delivery of bioactive molecules to treat a variety of medical disorders such as traumatic brain injury, the focus of the work at UQ.
"Government grants like the CRC-P play a vital role in advancing towards exosome therapeutics manufactured in Australia for clinical use," Professor Reutens said.
CRC-P grants are awarded through a competitive selection process assessed by an independent committee of experts to support industry-led research projects, offering matched funding of up to $3 million.
