Jose CASTILLO

Development of a hybrid approach comprising a recombinant viral vector (Newcastle Disease Vector, NDV) and an mRNA vector for the development of a) a vaccination solution and b) a personalised cancer treatment solution. In the context of a regional ATMP Hub based in Belgium (Jumet), Univercells’ objective would be to offer the fastest, safest, and most cost-effective solutions across the entire value chain for the manufacture of new hybrid approaches to vaccination and new anti-cancer therapies, from discovery through to clinical and commercial phases.
This project proposes an innovative approach to achieving this, combining cutting-edge innovation, first published preclinical and clinical proofs of concept, and a vision of manufacturing from the smallest to the largest scale, meeting the needs of personalised medicine for high-precision cancer treatment, and mass production of prophylactic vaccines.
Univercells aims to develop two hybrid approaches.
1. A hybrid therapy for the treatment of cancer, combining a bulk-produced Newcastle vector (the same vector for all patients, specific to the type of cancer) and an mRNA encoding a series of neoantigens, designed specifically for each patient and manufactured in very small, milligram quantities. The aim of the approach is to combine an oncolytic effect, destroying cancer cells, and to engage the patient’s immune system by administering the personalised mRNA vaccine.
2. A hybrid approach for prophylactic vaccination, combining a Newcastle vector to be produced in large quantities (specific to the type of viral infection) and an mRNA coding for the antigen specific to said viral infection, and produced in large quantities, on the order of kilograms. The aim of the approach is to capitalise on an effect recently demonstrated with COVID, showing, in the case of an adenovirus, that the RNA-virus vector combination results in better protection than the conventional approach. Given the characteristics of the Newcastle vector, which allows intranasal administration in the form of a live vector, there is a high probability that this synergy will be even greater.
Connect with us