New GRA initiative aims to make Georgia a world leader in vaccines, therapeutics

With the backing of Governor Sonny Perdue and the Georgia General Assembly, the Georgia Research Alliance has launched the Next-Generation Vaccines and Therapeutics Initiative. The goal: Make Georgia a world leader in the discovery, translation and production of next-generation vaccines and therapeutics.

The initiative grew out of extensive analysis of both the strong base of scientific talent and infrastructure at the GRA partner universities and the market potential for promising areas of scientific discovery. Next-generation vaccines and therapeutics to prevent and combat an array of infectious and chronic diseases – including influenza, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and cancer – emerged as a front-runner in that analysis. GRA partner universities are Clark Atlanta University, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Medical College of Georgia and the University of Georgia.

With $10 million in initial funding from the State of Georgia, GRA will invest in next-generation vaccine and therapeutics programs that foster world-class research and development, become the model for scientific and industry collaboration, and accelerate the translation of research into economic development and jobs for Georgia.

This and future editions of Pathways will feature descriptions of Initiative plans and accomplishments, as well as promote interactions among academic and industry scientists toward achieving the goals of the Initiative. back to top

Seed funding available for collaborative R&D planning

The GRA Collaboration Planning Grants program supports joint university-based research and commercialization projects in next-generation vaccines and therapeutics that have the potential to lead to significant non-state R&D funding. Teams comprised of two or more investigators from at least two of GRA’s partner universities will compete for awards of up to $100,000. The awards will enable teams to explore opportunities and develop preliminary data to attract national R&D centers and other high-level R&D funding.
The deadline for submitting applications for FY08 (July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008) GRA Collaboration Grants is June 29, 2007. A detailed description of eligibility requirements, technology focus areas and the application submission process is available at http://www.gra.org/if_programannouncement.asp. back to top

GRA, CDC strengthen research relationships through new roundtable

More than 80 scientists from Georgia's research universities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private industry participated in the inaugural GRA/CDC Roundtable, May 9. A key component of GRA’s Next-Generation Vaccines and Therapeutics Initiative, this first roundtable was a forum for sharing research ideas and interests, spawning new scientific collaborations, strengthening broader institutional relationships and defining the cornerstones of successful collaborations.

Presentations and discussion focused on trends, roadblocks and opportunities in vaccine research, strategies for translating research findings and specific programs in vaccines, diagnostics and antiviral/immunotherapies. back to top

Emory, UGA to partner in new flu center

Two GRA partner universities are collaborators in the newly announced NIH national Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance. The NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded Emory University School of Medicine a $32.8 million contract over seven years for the Center, one of only six in the country. The award includes a $7.4 million contract with the University of Georgia.

The Center’s principal investigator and executive director is Richard Compans, chair of the Emory Department of Microbiology and Immunology. GRA Eminent Scholar Ralph Tripp at the University of Georgia will serve as associate director for research, and Walter Orenstein, MD, professor and associate director of the Emory Vaccine Center, will be the associate director for operations and management. Also serving in key roles in the Center are GRA Eminent Scholars Rafi Ahmed (Emory) and Egbert Mundt (University of Georgia).

NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, MD, said: “The new Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance will help expand the federal government’s existing international and domestic influenza surveillance efforts, further our understanding of influenza viruses and generate information and tools necessary to better prepare and respond to a pandemic situation.” back to top

GRA program seeks to catch (and keep) a rising star

Designed to create a pipeline of scientific talent, the GRA Distinguished Investigators program will help Georgia recruit scientists who are “rising stars” in next-generation vaccines and therapeutics research. At GRA’s partner universities, these researchers will focus on:

Dr. Walt Orenstein receives NFID Mérieux Award

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) has awarded the prestigious Dr. Charles Mérieux Award to Walter A. Orenstein, MD, Director of the Emory Program for Vaccine Policy and Associate Director of the Emory Vaccine Center.

In presenting the award, NFID cited Dr. Orenstein's lifelong dedication to reducing vaccine-preventable diseases around the world, noting his influence on policy that has reduced or eradicated some of the greatest causes of childhood mortality and adult disability. Prior to joining the Emory community, Dr. Orenstein was Assistant Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service and Director of the National Immunization Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. back to top

Merial awarded first-ever U.S. approval of therapeutic cancer vaccine

Merial, a leading international animal health company, gained conditional approval in March from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a breakthrough vaccine to treat canine melanoma, a common yet deadly form of canine cancer. This is the first U.S. government-approved therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of cancer in either animals or humans.

With its U.S. headquarters in Duluth, Georgia, Merial developed the vaccine in partnership with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and The Animal Medical Center of New York in New York City. For details, see us.merial.com/pressroom/index.asp. back to top

Pathways offers periodic reports on the Georgia Research Alliance’s Next-Generation Vaccines and Therapeutics Initiative. GRA creates opportunities to grow Georgia’s economy through scientific discovery. We help recruit enterprising scholars to Georgia’s research universities ... fuel the launch of companies that create high-value jobs ... and broker partnerships between businesses and universities.

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Photo credits: GRA/CDC image courtesy of Greg Knobloch, CDC; Merial photo courtesy of Merial.

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