Optimization and Scale-Up of a Biomanufacturing Process for Anellovirus-Based Vectors for Gene Therapy Applications

Gene therapy is a cutting-edge treatment that can fix or replace faulty genes to treat diseases, but producing the necessary gene delivery cargo, called vectors, is currently expensive and complex. Many of today’s vectors also trigger immune responses in patients, limiting their efficacy. This project explores a new type of vector made from a harmless human virus called anellovirus, which exhibit natural immune evasion properties, indicating a potential for repeat dosing and long-term therapeutic applications without causing immune responses. The goal is to produce these anellovirus-based vectors using bacteria instead of animal or human cells. The partner company, Theraphage Inc., holds the rights to a unique technology called the iPhAGE system, which engineers bacteria to produce anellovirus-based vectors. Partnering with Theraphage, the interns will help optimize and scale up the biomanufacturing process for producing these vectors. This will reduce manufacturing costs, support the development of safer gene therapies, and create new job opportunities in Canada’s growing biotechnology sector.

Faculty Supervisor:

Marc Aucoin

Student:

Partner:

Theraphage Inc.

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Waterloo

Program: