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UCL partner in new £4.5m doctoral training programme in viral vector bioscience
7 October 2021
UCL joins forces with Oxford Biomedica and University of Oxford to train viral vector bioscience leaders for future cell and gene therapies and vaccines
The BBSRC CTP in Advanced Bioscience of Viral Products (ABViP) is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary training programme designed to deliver the next generation of bioscience leaders who will advance research on the underpinning bioscience of viral products for future gene therapies and vaccines. Led by Oxford Biomedica and involving both UCL and University of Oxford, the ABViP CTP will train a cohort of 24 students (18 x CTP-funded, 6 x partner-funded) over a three year period to address the acute viral vector skills shortage.
This CTP builds on Oxford Biomedica’s leading position in viral vector research, development and manufacture, and brings together world-leading academic partners, UCL and University of Oxford , representing two of the top 10 global universities. The three partners bring complementary expertise in lentiviral and adeno-associated viral vector bioprocessing, novel analytics and data science methodologies and viral vaccine design, development and characterisation.
Professor Gary Lye, Head of Department, UCL Biochemical Engineering and ABViP CTP Co-Director for Research said:
“Gene therapies and viral vaccines represent key therapeutic modalities which have demonstrated tremendous scientific and clinical success. However, there is a need to establish core skills and training provision and technical expertise to deliver the viral vectors required to support future advanced medicines. We are therefore delighted to be partnering with Oxford Biomedica and the University of Oxford to deliver the ABViP CTP which will drive innovation and world-class research and establish an international exemplar for advanced bioscience skills training in this sector. The CTP builds on our existing expertise in cell and gene therapy and strengthens the training links between UCL and University of Oxford who already collaborate in this area via the UKRI Future Vaccine Manufacturing Research Hub (VaxHub).”
Dr James Miskin, Chief Technical Officer, Oxford Biomedica, and Director of the Advanced Bioscience of Viral Products Collaborative Training Partnership (ABViP CTP), said:
“The ABViP CTP is aimed at delivering a comprehensive and multidisciplinary training programme and creating a robust pipeline of high-calibre doctoral graduates with the necessary skills and capabilities to support this high-value growth sector. Through this partnership, we will build capacity of the doctoral-level research and innovation workforce, and increase the UK’s resilience against global healthcare challenges by delivering cutting-edge bioscience research within the wider regulatory and commercial context.”
Professor Melanie Welham, BBSRC Executive Chair said:
“With the awards we have announced today, BBSRC underlines its commitment to work with industry to support the next generation of bioscience researchers. Projects will span areas vital to our strategic priorities, such as tackling infections and helping to meet our net zero goals.”
Dr Qasim Rafiq, Associate Professor, UCL Biochemical Engineering and ABViP CTP Co-Director for Training said:
“There is an acute shortage of doctoral-level skilled individuals to support future viral vector development for novel cell and gene therapies and future vaccines. The ABViP CTP has been designed to deliver a comprehensive and interdisciplinary training programme to produce the next generation of bioscience leaders who will be at the forefront of developing and translating viral products for future gene therapies and vaccines. This will significantly enhance the UK’s globally-leading position in the advanced therapy industry, drive the UK bioeconomy and improve capability and core skills provision in this rapidly growing and high-value sector.”
About the BBSRC CTP Scheme
The Collaborative Training Partnerships (CTP) scheme run by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) will address skills gaps in UK bioscience industry through doctoral training led by businesses.
The collaborative partnerships will work across the council’s strategic priority areas such as:
- net zero+
- tackling infections
- transformative technologies
- others.
The 225 studentships, in partnership with academia and industry, span 29 businesses and 12 academic research organisations.
The scheme includes several new companies and partnerships to the CTP programme and covers a diverse range of business sizes and sectors.
The four-year studentships will be delivered over the period 2022 to 2028 with £22.5 million of funding from BBSRC, and more than £14 million cash and in-kind co-investment from industry partners.
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