A vaccine-developing biotech company, RBT (BioTechnology Developments), has entered into an agreement with the Sirius University of Science and Technology to develop a technology for producing recombinant influenza antigens. The research aims to create universal and more effective influenza vaccines.
According to Igor Krasilnikov, RBT’s director: “The recombinant technology makes it possible to obtain surface viral antigens in cell culture. It eliminates the need to use an infectious virus cultivated in chicken embryos for vaccine production, which will ultimately lead to safer influenza vaccine production.”
The research will be conducted for 2 years at Sirius University’s Translational Medicine Research Center in one of the largest life sciences laboratory complexes in our country.
RBT is an Artgen Biotech group company (ex. Human Stem Cell Institute, MOEX: ABIO), a resident of Skolkovo and Technopark Medtech. With the support from Artgen Biotech’s industrial partner and its ecosystem, RBT is developing a platform for the development of antiviral vaccines based on surface recombinant proteins and spherical adjuvant particles. Previously, this platform was used to develop coronavirus vaccine Betuvax-Cov-2 and influenza vaccine TetraFluBET, as well as a pentavalent combination vaccine against influenza and coronavirus developed jointly with the Nacimbio pharmaceutical holding. RBT’s technology platform is aimed at making vaccines less reactogenic and minimizing their side effects, while maintaining the “protective” properties of vaccines, such as immunogenicity, at a high level. The company’s portfolio also includes a human papillomavirus vaccine.
In July 2023, RBT raised RUB 155 million during its private offering on the Rounds investment platform. Investments will be used to expand the company’s development portfolio.
The Sirius University of Science and Technology was founded in 2019. The university implements genomics, immunobiology, biotechnology, neurobiology, gene therapy, plant genome editing, robotics, and clinical psychology projects. Under the management of the country’s leading scientists, 17 research and educational centers have been opened that together implement interdisciplinary educational programs and research projects aimed at improving the quality of life of the population.