UCT's groundbreaking DNA vaccine platform

Animal diseases significantly impact livestock health and productivity, with far-reaching consequences for food security and economic stability.

This is why a team led by Prof Anna-Lise Williamson, former Chair of Vaccinology in the South African National Research Foundation SARChI programme and professor at the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, is pioneering a revolutionary platform technology. Prof Williamson and her team, including Dr Ros Chapman and Dr Nicola Douglass, are working on a recombinant lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) DNA vector, which promises to transform veterinary medicine by enabling the development of multiple vaccines tailored for cattle and other animals in a single product.

Harnessing this proprietary vector also enabled the team to develop a portfolio of dual vaccines targeting several critical diseases, including bovine ephemeral fever, rabies, East Coast Fever and foot-and-mouth disease. These dual vaccines not only protect against multiple diseases simultaneously but also promise to improve animal health and well-being, thereby reducing the transmission of these diseases among key production animals.

The potential benefit of this platform is that it will enable the development of cost-effective vaccines because it enables multiple therapeutic disease targets, making them more accessible to farmers in resource-limited settings.

The development of the technology was funded with the support of the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). The RC&I team is also actively engaging with key South African and international vaccine manufacturers to navigate the commercialisation and regulatory hurdles that often accompany new biotechnologies. By working closely with industry leaders, RC&I is laying the groundwork for the widespread adoption of these vaccines, and potentially establishing its own manufacturing company to ensure consistent and efficient production.

The impact of this technology extends beyond Africa. By providing a scalable and effective solution to some of the most pressing animal health challenges, UCT’s LSDV DNA vector platform exemplifies how African innovation can contribute to global advancements in science and technology. This pioneering work not only enhances animal health but also underscores the vital role that African research institutions play in addressing worldwide issues through cutting-edge innovation.