BigDNA snapshot:
BigDNA is a vaccine development company, established in 2007 to commercialise a novel platform vaccine delivery technology. The Company is developing a core portfolio of vaccine products, directed at human diseases, where the platform technology can bring significant benefit.
The Company’s platform technology is based upon the use of bacteriophage (‘phage’) modified to deliver DNA (genetic) vaccines. This approach is able to generate protective immune responses against a range of viral and bacterial pathogens. A pre-existing immune response against phage does not reduce the vaccine efficacy and so the platform is not subject to the limitations experienced by recombinant viral vaccines caused by inactivation of the vector by the patient’s immune defences.
The preclinical portfolio includes vaccines against Chlamydia, Influenza, Hepatitis B and Herpes Simplex 2, all which represent diseases of high unmet need and/or high market value. The Company is also developing a number of animal health vaccines on a collaborative basis with industry partners.
BigDNA is situated in the Roslin Biocentre, a multi-occupancy building close to the Roslin Institute, near Edinburgh.