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BactiVac supports Innovate UK to deliver UKVN Projects Meeting

BactiVac joins UK Vaccines Network conference to explore clinical trial and manufacturing challenges in LMICs and foster global vaccine collaboration.

12 May 2025•1 min read
Group of attendees at the UK Vaccines Network Projects Meeting all waving to the camera.

BactiVac was delighted to attend Innovate UK’s recent conference, UK Vaccines Network Projects Meeting, held on 27-28 March 2025 in Oxford, UK. Amongst the 90 delegates, members of the BactiVac Network team  Adam Cunningham, Johanna Dean, and Jamie Pillaye were present, along with five Catalyst Project awardees supported through funding received from the UK Vaccine Network (UKVN) programme.

A significant portion of the agenda was dedicated to clinical trials and manufacturing, with a particular emphasis on the UK and low to middle income countries (LMICs). The group engaged with presentations, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions that highlighted the challenges involved in conducting clinical trials and manufacturing vaccines in LMICs. The event also looked to the future and how the deployment of cost-effective vaccines can be accelerated.

The organisers included time for networking, hosting a speed networking session and offering opportunities to set up dedicated meetings between speakers, delivery partners, and UKVN funding recipients to exchange ideas and introduce their research. 

BactiVac Board member Constantino López Macías was invited to present his research on the AVX/COVID-12 also known as the ‘Patria’ (‘Homeland’) vaccine in Mexico, which included lessons learned during its development, clinical testing, and regulatory approval. His presentation served as an impressive and informative case study, as Mexico had limited vaccine infrastructure and had to adapt to meet urgent needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Constantino López Macías giving a presentation

In addition to the sessions, selected attendees were taken on a tour of the Oxford Manufacturing Vaccines Centre to explore the site’s potential and discuss future collaborative opportunities. 

BactiVac would like to thank Innovate UK and UKVN for the opportunity to attend and be involved in such an insightful and practical conference. 

Featured staff

  • Professor Adam Cunningham

    Professor of Functional Immunity

    School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology

    Staff profile for Professor Adam Cunningham who is Professor of Functional Immunity within the Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy at the University of Birmingham.

    Phone: +44 (0)121 414 4068
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