press release

Oxford SimCell Limited (‘OSC’ or the ‘Company’), a pioneering spinout company from the University of Oxford, is thrilled to announce that the Company has been awarded a grant from Innovate UK’s Engineering Biology Collaborative Research and Development Round 1. Led by OSC, the grant will support the collaboration between OSC, the University of Oxford’s Department of Engineering Sciences and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to harness the power of SimCell technology to develop an innovative inactivated whole-cell vaccine against urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by uro-pathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC).

UTIs, particularly those caused by antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, represent a global health concern and a significant financial burden. The main cause of UTI, UPEC, classified as a World Health Organization (WHO) Priority 1 Critical Pathogen, has posed challenges due to its complex genetic makeup and adaptability. This project aims to leverage the SimCell platform technology in UPEC to develop novel vaccine candidates against this pathogen, which could ultimately transform the landscape of UTI treatment and reduce the misuse of antibiotics, a critical step in curbing the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Dr. Boon Lim, the Chief Technology Officer at OSC and Scientific Lead of the project, has been at the forefront of SimCell technology development. He expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “The innovative approach of SimCell technology has the potential to redefine how we address infectious diseases. We are eager to contribute to the development of a novel UTI vaccine candidate that could positively impact millions of lives worldwide.”

Professor Harrison Steel, the Principal Investigator from the University of Oxford’s Department of Engineering Sciences, added, “Our interdisciplinary research team is excited to collaborate on this project, merging synthetic biology, robotics, and control engineering to advance SimCell technology. This grant underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing critical global health challenges.”

Dr. Daire Cantillon, the Principal Investigator from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, emphasized the project’s significance, saying, “We recognize the urgent need for innovative solutions against infectious diseases. Our collaboration aims to pave the way for new vaccine pipelines, offering hope for improved healthcare outcomes.”

The 12-month project, funded by Innovate UK, is expected to yield not only an optimal SimCell system for UPEC but also a blueprint for extending this technology to other Gram-negative pathogens like Salmonella and Shigella, thus paving the way for additional vaccine pipelines.

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

Mr Michael Xiang, Chief Executive Officer – michael.xiang@oxfordsimcell.com

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/

About LSTM:

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) is the world’s oldest centre of excellence in tropical medicine and international public health. It has been engaged in the fight against infectious, debilitating and disabling diseases since 1898 and continues that tradition today with a research portfolio over £320 million and a teaching programme attracting students from over 65 countries.

For further information please visit https://www.lstmed.ac.uk/

About University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science:

The Department of Engineering Science at University of Oxford runs a diverse and world leading teaching and research program. It’s substantial research portfolio spans disciplines, collaborating with groups in other departments from Archaeology to Zoology. The department works extensively with industry partners in the UK and abroad, as well as supporting a wide range of university spin-outs and start-up companies.

For more information see: https://eng.ox.ac.uk/