Our Technology
Nucleic acid-based therapies and vaccines are transforming the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, and AGTRU is actively contributing to this field. Our research focuses on gene therapy, gene editing, and mRNA technology to develop targeted solutions for significant public health challenges. Initially, our work centred on gene silencing and gene editing to address persistent infections with viruses such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV. However, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for scalable vaccine platforms, particularly in South Africa and other Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). In response, we prioritised mRNA vaccine development alongside research into adenoviral vectors* and recombinant protein-based vaccines.
One of our key milestones was the development of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine prototype using publicly available data. Within six months, preclinical trials demonstrated immune responses comparable to those of licensed vaccines. This work provided a foundation for expanding our research beyond COVID-19 to other infectious diseases.
Today, AGTRU continues to advance vaccine and gene therapy technologies. We are currently collaborating with researchers and industry partners to develop new platforms for disease prevention and treatment. By strengthening local capacity in LMICs, we aim to contribute to sustainable solutions for global health security.
*Adenoviral vector vaccines use a harmless virus to deliver genetic instructions that trigger an immune response, while recombinant protein-based vaccines directly introduce a lab-made viral protein to stimulate immunity.
AGTRU became involved in the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme (mRNA TTP) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme was established in response to the inequities in global vaccine access that were exposed by the pandemic, and was sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Medicines Patent Pool (MPP). Financial support was provided by the South African government through the SAMRC, several other national governments, the European Union, African Union and the ELMA Foundation. The main goals of the mRNA TTP are to strengthen pandemic preparedness, develop human capacity and build sustainable mRNA vaccine manufacturing capability in low- and middle-income countries. AGTRU contributed expertise in mRNA vaccine design, formulation and evaluation of candidate vaccines.
A major bottleneck in the clinical translation of mRNA vaccines is the limited availability of ionisable lipids required for lipid nanoparticle carriers of mRNA. Addressing this challenge led to the collaborative development of novel bio-renewable ionisable lipids by AGTRU and the synthetic organic chemistry team of the Wits School of Chemistry. This ultimately led to the establishment of Green Lipids, a Wits spinout company that is dedicated to developing affordable and sustainable lipid technologies for mRNA vaccines and therapies. Learn more about Green Lipids →
Lipid Nanoparticles
Advancing novel green and inexpensive ionisable lipids from bio-renewable sources to deliver mRNA via lipid nanoparticles.
RNA Technology
Developing mRNA vaccines for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and HIV. Self-amplifying RNA vaccines are being developed for hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Viral Vectors
Recombinant adenoviruses have been generated to deliver antigen-encoding immunogenic HBV sequences. This technology should have advantages over currently licensed protein-based vaccines that are used to prevent HBV infection.
C1 Platform
The use of the highly Productive Thermothelomyces heterothallica (C1) Expression System to produce vaccines against Rift Valley Fever Virus (RFV) is another active field of work in AGTRU. The technology is also being applied to produce viral pathogen-targeting antibodies.