In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and future infectious diseases that may become a threat, the “Program on R&D of New Generation Vaccine including New Modality Application” and the “Japan Initiative for World-leading Vaccine Research and Development Centers (Flagship Center)” has been launched and we are conducting research within the framework of the University of Tokyo Center for Advanced Infectious Diseases (UTOPIA), which has been selected as the base for these efforts.

We aim to apply our unique AAV vector-related technologies as a “Next-generation AAV Vaccine Modality (drug discovery method)” to commercialize safe and effective vaccines against both infectious and neurodegenerative diseases. AAV vectors are expected to be excellent vaccine modalities thanks to their stability and high immunogenicity. In addition, we are developing an efficient gene expression method that avoids AAV neutralizing antibodies and promote the development of new nucleic acid vaccines.

Our plans include the operation of a small-scale GMP manufacturing facility capable of producing viral vector vaccines at a scale that allows their use for clinical trials, operating it as a facility for research and manufacture of gene therapy vectors during normal times, allowing for the incorporation of the latest technologies and knowledge, and quickly and flexibly converting it into an early vaccine production facility in the event of an infectious disease outbreak, while at the same time contribute to the discovery and training of young researchers, which is the philosophy of UTOPIA.