News and notices

We are pleased to announce that the University of Cape Town's (UCT) Innovation Builder Fund (IBF) is now accepting new expressions of interest.

The IBF was launched in 2019 with the primary goal of nurturing and advancing UCT research projects that have demonstrated an initial proof of concept. The fund is designed to support projects that have been assessed as commercially viable and where research outputs have either been protected or have protectable intellectual property.

This unique opportunity not only provides financial support but also aids in maturing research outputs and mitigating associated risks, thereby preparing them for later-stage funding. Successful projects will receive a grant ranging from R150,000 to R500,000 to aid their development.

We welcome applications from UCT researchers across all disciplines conducting innovative research with the potential for commercial application and IP protection.

The deadline for submissions is 28 April 2025.

To express your interest, fill in the Expression-of-Interest form and send it to francois.oosthuizen@uct.ac.za. You may download the form here

For more information about the Innovation Builder Fund, including detailed application requirements and procedures, please visit the fund page

BCoV-LSDV Dual Vaccine for Cattle

Background

Bovine Coronavirus (BCoV) and Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV) are major infectious diseases affecting cattle worldwide. BCoV leads to severe diarrhoea and respiratory distress, particularly in neonatal calves, while LSDV causes painful skin lesions, weight loss, and economic losses. Current vaccines require multiple doses and do not provide long-lasting immunity, leading to increased costs for farmers and vaccine manufacturers.

Neonatal calves are particularly susceptible to BCoV due to their immature immune systems, with transmission occurring through oral-fecal secretions, nasal secretions, and contaminated environments. The virus is highly prevalent globally, with over 90% of cattle exposed during their lifetime. BCoV infections contribute to severe diarrhoea, dehydration, and respiratory disease, impacting weight gain, milk production, and reproductive performance. Given the syndromic nature of BCoV symptoms, existing vaccine regimens often target multiple pathogens, but no current option provides a combined BCoV-LSDV solution.

LSDV, widespread in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, causes fever, nodular skin lesions, and severe economic losses due to reduced productivity and trade restrictions. While multiple animal health companies produce LSDV vaccines, none leverage a recombinant expression system like this novel dual vaccine, offering the candidate vaccine a significant competitive advantage.

Opportunity

The University of Cape Town seeks partnerships with relevant researchers and pharma companies in the cattle vaccine industry. We would like to license the manufacture, sales and distribution of the vaccine to the appropriate partner.

UCT will collaborate with the licensee partners to complete the development of the remaining research and facilitate the technology transfer.

The key roles and partnerships needed include:

• a clinical trial partner with access to compliant animal facilities and resources to complete the requisite horse challenge trials to demonstrate efficacy;
• a manufacturer capable of at scale, compliant with GMP standards for the supply of the candidate vaccines for trials and later for supply to Pharma;
• access to funders who could invest in the opportunity to complete the planned activities; and a sales, marketing and distribution partner or network that the partner could access.
• It is a possibility to license the candidate vaccine to a single partner who could coordinate the activities needed to bring this vaccine to market.

If you are interested in knowing more about this technology and opportunity, feel free to contact:

Saberi Marais - Innovation Commercialisation Manager