iBRIC-THSTI Hosts 2nd Advanced Course in Vaccinology to Foster Global Research Collaboration

Faridabad: The Institute of Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (iBRIC), in collaboration with the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), has commenced the 2nd THSTI Advanced Course in Vaccinology (TiVaC) today. The course, running from May 27 to June 1, 2024, aims to provide a comprehensive overview of vaccine design, development, and commercialization. It is being held at the iBRIC-THSTI campus in Faridabad and is open to both Indian and international participants.

With support from CEPI, the course has attracted 10 young researchers and professionals from countries including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt, and Rwanda. The inaugural TiVaC course was previously held in May 2023 at the same venue.

iBRIC-THSTI has been pivotal in the research and development response to the COVID-19 pandemic, conducting significant safety and efficacy studies for vaccines such as Corbevax, ZyCoVD, and Covishield. The institute boasts world-class infrastructure and capabilities for developing vaccines and other biotechnological products. Notably, the Vaccine Design and Development Centre (VDDC), a state-of-the-art facility, supports the rapid production of promising vaccine candidates.

Scientists at iBRIC-THSTI are pioneering work on various vaccine platforms, including the Multivalent Self-Assembled Nanocage Platform (MSN platform) and the Structure-AI-Driven Native Antigen Platform. Their vaccine candidate portfolio includes efforts against MERS, SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, Nipah, Dengue, and Chikungunya, using transient expression systems in HEK293 and CHO cell lines. A CHO cell line for stable antigen production is also under development.

The TiVaC course provides an extensive curriculum covering basic biology and immunology of vaccines, pre-clinical research, clinical trial design, regulatory clearances, manufacturing, and quality compliance. The training is designed to enhance global leadership in vaccine development, particularly among researchers and professionals from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

During the inauguration, Dr. G. Karthikeyan, Executive Director of iBRIC-THSTI, emphasized the importance of advanced research training programs. He stated, “The iBRIC-THSTI is committed to enhancing both institutional and national capacities through targeted training programs. We are considering the establishment of more short-term, intensive training programs for both national and international researchers.”