press release

Oxford SimCell Limited (‘OSC’ or the ‘Company’), a spinout company from the University of Oxford, is proud to announce that the Company has been awarded £499,955 grant from Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency under the Biomedical Catalyst 2023 Round 1: Industry-led R&D program. This grant represents a pioneering project that is set to confront the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) head-on and revolutionize strategies to combat critical pathogens. This project aims to leverage SimCell technology to develop whole-cell inactivated vaccines against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a ‘Priority 1: Critical’ pathogens as designated by the World Health Organization. 

The relentless rise of AMR presents a severe global health challenge, contributing to an estimated 700,000 deaths each year worldwide. Stark predictions suggest that by 2050, deaths caused by AMR infections could skyrocket to more than 10 million, rendering even routine surgical procedures life-threatening and posing the risk of collapsing healthcare systems globally. 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa emerges as a formidable adversary within this crisis, being accountable for over 300,000 annual deaths on global scale. Its resilience against antibiotics and the scarcity of effective treatment strategies have perplexed researchers for over two decades, resulting in a dearth of viable therapeutic options. As of today, no approved vaccine exist to counter P. aeruginosa infection (PAI). A recent bivalent recombination protein vaccine, despite demonstrating good tolerance and immunogenicity, failed to show clinical benefit in terms of overall mortality, underscoring the critical need for innovative approaches. 

The awarded grant stands as testament to the project’s significance and potential impact. Led by Oxford SimCell Ltd., this project will focus on applying SimCell technology to develop whole-cell inactivated vaccines specifically targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa for community-acquired infections. The primary goal is to engineer a human P. aeruginosa vaccine that triggers robust immune responses, subsequently affording protection against potential infections. 

Dr. Jane Hsu, Chief Operating Officer at Oxford SimCell Ltd., shared her enthusiasm for the project: “The significance of this grant cannot be overstated. With the threat of antimicrobial resistance looming large, this project’s innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize our response to critical pathogens. By harnessing SimCell technology, we’re driven to not only develop effective vaccines but to reshape the landscape of infectious disease prevention. This is a crucial step forwards in the battle against AMR and global health challenges. 

The Innovate UK grant serves as an acknowledgement of the project’s importance and its potential to transform our fight against drug-resistant infections. Through SimCell technology, this project stands as a beacon of hope, promising a more resilient and effective strategy to counter these life-threatening pathogens. 

For further information about Oxford SimCell Ltd. and its transformative research on SimCell, please contact:

Dr Chia-Chen (Jane) Hsu, Chief Operating Officer – jane.hsu@oxfordsimcell.com 

About Oxford SimCell Limited: 

Oxford SimCell Limited is a spinout company from the University of Oxford, dedicated to leveraging the SimCell platform to revolutionize the development of bacterial vaccines. Using live bacteria as vaccines and therapies for diseases has long been seen as an attractive idea, offering a way to target the immune system more comprehensively. Unfortunately, the approach is difficult to control, with potentially dangerous side-effects. SimCell technology solves this problem by producing bacterial cells that lack genetic material (DNA) and are therefore unable to divide. By harnessing the power of SimCells, OSC aims to address significant global health challenges and enhance the effectiveness of vaccines. The company is committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and driving positive change in the field of healthcare. 

For further information, please visit: https://oxfordsimcell.com/