|  | Welcome to the May edition of the RNA Platform newsletter!
Over the past few months, we've been bustling with activity, making significant progress on multiple fronts. Our Fast Start contracting initiative is in full swing, paving the way for swift project launches. Meanwhile, negotiations for collaboration agreements and an IP plan among our partner organizations are progressing positively, setting a strong foundation for our collective efforts. Excitingly, our manufacturing facility dedicated to Research Grade RNA is now operational, starting to churn out encapsulated RNA to fuel our fast start projects.
We're also proud to announce that our first round of reporting, due on April 30th, has been successfully completed and submitted to MBIE.
Dive in to discover more about our recent developments for the RNA Platform! |
| | | We are delighted to announce Professor John Fraser has taken on the role of RNA Platform Strategic Science Advisor. His responsibilities will include chairing an international science advisory group, representing the platform at global forums, and offering independent scientific advice to the Directors and the Oversight Group. Leveraging his expertise in RNA technology and extensive global network, Professor Fraser will contribute significantly to advancing the platform's mission of fostering world-class RNA technology capability through international collaboration.
We are also very happy to officially announce Neb Svrzikapa as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the RNA Platform, tasked with ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. In this critical role, Neb will oversee the platform's contractual obligations to the funders and co-hosts, manage platform finances, and lead a professional team to achieve operational goals. |
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|  | Professor John Fraser Strategic Science Advisor |
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|  | Neb Svrzikapa Chief Operating Officer(COO) |
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| We are thrilled to announce the appointment of our successful Pillar Leads for the RNA Platform, following a rigorous selection process. This process involved a panel with representatives from the four partner organizations and an independent chair, evaluating numerous applicants through interviews and assessments.
This diverse team marks a significant milestone in our journey towards advancing RNA technologies in New Zealand. Their roles include providing science leadership, strategically coordinating work plans nationwide, managing budgets, and fostering international collaborations. |
| |  | Dr. Sarah DiermeierTarget selection |
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| Dr. Sarah Diermeier, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago, is a distinguished biochemist with expertise in RNA biology and gene regulation. Her academic journey spans from earning her PhD in Germany to prestigious postdoctoral fellowships at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (NY, USA).
Her pioneering research focuses on the potential of long non-coding RNAs as therapeutic targets in breast cancer, earning her recognition such as the NIH/NCI K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award and the Rutherford Discovery Fellowship. Sarah is a world-leading expert in RNA target discovery and RNA therapeutics development, and the founding Chief Scientific Officer of Amaroq Therapeutics Ltd and RNAfold.AI Pty Ltd. |
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|  | Dr. William KeltonPayload design |
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| Dr. William Kelton, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Waikato's Te Huataki Waiora School of Health, brings extensive industry experience from New Zealand’s biotech sector to academia.
His background, spanning roles at Ora Therapeutics and Scion Research, informs his current academic focus on antibody engineering and molecular biotechnologies for biomedical applications.
Alongside supervising research at the Master's and PhD levels, he is a vital contributor to the university's Biomedical Science programs. |
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|  | Prof. Gavin PainterFormulation |
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| Professor Gavin Painter leads the mRNA and Lipid Nanoparticles team at Ferrier Research Institute of Victoria University of Wellington. His laboratory synthesize a variety of vaccine components including peptides, oligonucleotides with a focus on lipid-based materials including glycolipid vaccine adjuvants and lipid components for the encapsulation of vaccine antigens and therapeutics. His research group has strong interest in the development of mRNA-LNP vaccines for Malaria and Hepatitis B.
Professor Painter holds a joint position with the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research Wellington New Zealand incorporating multiple national and international collaborations with immunologists. |
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|  | Dr. Lisa ConnorPreclinical testing |
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| Dr. Lisa Connor, a cellular immunologist at the School of Biological Sciences, investigates the immunobiology of vaccination, specialising in mucosal vaccines and harnessing mRNA technology to develop smarter antigens. She completed her PhD at the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research and a post-doctoral fellowship at the Trudeau Institute in the USA.
After establishing her research lab in 2018, she was awarded the prestigious Sir Charles Hercus fellowship and has enhanced Aotearoa’s vaccine development capabilities, contributing to the development of a COVID19 vaccine. |
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|  | Dr. Rebecca McKenzieQuality control |
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| Dr. Rebecca McKenzie, currently leads the molecular biology core within the Hugh Green Cytometry Centre at the Malaghan Institute working at the forefront of identifying and adopting new technology platforms. After completing her PhD at Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands) focusing on the power of CRISPR-Cas technology, Rebecca returned to New Zealand for post-doctoral fellowship as part of the Vaccine Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand.
During her time at the Malaghan she has lead work with a number of national and international collaborators across disciplines to establish mRNA vaccine technology as a tool for researchers. |
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|  | Dr. William RollestonProcess development & manufacture |
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| Dr. William Rolleston, a co-founder of South Pacific Sera Limited, has made significant contributions to biotechnology and vaccine manufacturing.
With a medical degree and leadership roles including Founding Chair of the New Zealand Biotechnology industry organisation (now Biotech NZ), President of New Zealand Federated Farmers and the World Farmers Organisation, Dr. Rolleston has been a prominent figure in shaping the biotechnology landscape both locally and internationally. |
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|  | Dr. Nikki MorelandClinical Testing |
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| Dr. Nikki Moreland, an Associate Professor in Infection and Immunity at the University of Auckland, has a distinguished background in antibody technology and infectious disease.
With significant experience in both academic and industrial settings in New Zealand and abroad, her translational research continues to improve scientific understanding for practical health outcomes. |
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| Finally, in the interview process the Panel identified the crucial importance of the QC and Process Development function to the success of the platform. To that end we created an advisory role to work alongside the Pillar Leads. |
|  | Dr. Steve TomsAdvisor, QC and Development |
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| Dr. Steven Toms, a Principal Process Development Chemist, has a diverse background in organic chemistry, specializing in carbohydrates, dendrimers, peptides, and other natural and organometallic compounds.
His role at GlycoSyn involves developing chemical processes for commercial projects, from initial design to API synthesis.
With previous positions in cancer research and methodology development, Steven applies his extensive expertise to solve complex chemistry problems for clients in quality control and manufacturing sectors. |
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| | Coming months:
As we look ahead to the next few months, the RNA Platform is gearing up for a series of pivotal activities. We have upcoming Oversight and Steering Group meetings, where key decisions and strategies will be discussed and formulated to drive the platform forward. Concurrently, we are diligently progressing the contracting of all platform elements, ensuring smooth operations and collaborations. The fine-tuning of our IP structure is also underway, laying a solid foundation for innovative research and development within the platform.
Additionally, our Pillar Workplans are in the process of being built, outlining our focused initiatives and goals. Professor John Fraser is assembling a Science Advisory Group, bringing together expertise to guide our scientific endeavours. Moreover, our research activities and budgets are currently being planned out, ensuring efficient resource allocation and impactful outcomes. The next few months will lay the groundwork for significant initiatives and projects within the platform's scope.
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| |  | We’d like to use this newsletter to highlight the upcoming 2nd Nucleic Acid Chemical Biology Symposium in Aotearoa-NZ, hosted by Massey University and Professor Vyacheslav Filichev.
Professionals in chemical/molecular biology and medicinal chemistry are invited to explore cutting-edge topics such as mRNA vaccines and DNA/RNA therapeutics. This one-day event will take place on Wednesday, 5th June 2024, from 10.15 am to 5 pm at the Marsden Lecture Theatre, Massey University, Palmerston North.
Distinguished international speakers, including Professor Katherine Seley-Radtke from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and Associate Professor Rakesh Veedu from Murdoch University, Perth, Australia, will share insights on nucleic acid-based biotechnologies. Topics covered include nucleosides & nucleotides, DNA/RNA-therapeutics, mRNA/DNA vaccines, CRISPR-CAS9 technologies, and more. Registration is free, with limited funding available for travel/accommodation, prioritizing post-graduate students and early-career researchers. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with experts and explore the forefront of nucleic acid chemical biology. Register now before the deadline on 20 May 2024.
For more information please visit the event details and contact Vyacheslav on: v.filichev@massey.ac.nz |
| | If you are interested in discussing the platform and how to engage, or if you’d like to discuss the Visits or Recruitment, please reach out to us at
rnaplatform@vuw.ac.nz
or directly to Gary and Kjesten. |
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