Vaccine antigen production is a process that entails numerous variables. In order to have a consistent and robust process, monitoring of process parameters and controlling output variables within a certain range is the best practice. To accomplish this objective, analytical tools are used, on-line, off-line, at line. Real time monitoring of the processes is advantageous […]

The goal of this study will be to characterize a SARS-CoV2 antigen and the formulated drug product that will contain SARS-CoV2 antigen and a squalene-based adjuvant under tight timeline to release the material for COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials.

The current project will assemble a library of molecules known as single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies to treat COVID-19. The scFv antibodies will neutralize the SARV-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19 by targeting its spike (S) glycoprotein. ScFv antibodies offer numerous advantages compared to other treatment alternatives such as small-molecule drugs and monoclonal antibodies, and are […]

The objective is to develop an in-line Process Analytical Technology (PAT) tool to monitor viability and biomass levels at the fermentation stage bacterial organisms. The Master student will be engaged in the development of the PAT tool for deployment into a state-of-the-art vaccine manufacturing facility. The student will use benchtop tools such as flow cytometry […]

The safety and quality of vaccine products are an integral requirement for all vaccine manufacturing and production. Most current tests are using laboratory equipment that requires trained personnel, equipment qualification, method validation, manual sampling, and testing at various stages of product manufacturing. However, the off-line testing is slow, often requires significant volume of material for […]

Sanofi Pasteur has established a cutting-edge facility for the production of different types of vaccines in Toronto. This state-of-the-art facility is comprised of various complex mixing operations, which play significant role in the vaccine production. Currently, there is lack of sufficient information about the hydrodynamics of these mixing units for the process validation. In this […]

The current key challenges in manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in general and vaccines in particular is the lack of rapid measurements for monitoring the processes in real time, lack of understanding of the correlation between operating conditions to the productivity of antigens composing the vaccines and contaminations that affect the purification processes. This proposed research program […]

The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us that, first, global pandemics are significant threats to population health and material standard of living and, second, evidently not enough is being done to prevent pandemics. Future pandemics are likely if the system of pandemic preparedness is not improved. The first step to ensure we are ready for the next […]

Pertussis or whooping cough is caused by the strict human pathogen B. pertussis or Bordetella parapertussis and is a highly contagious, potentially life-threatening respiratory tract illness when it occurs in unprotected infants. Despite the introduction of acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines and great initial success of the immunization program, pertussis outbreaks were reported in adolescents and […]

Multi-phase aerated stirred fermenters are well-accepted in the production of biopharmaceuticals including antibodies and vaccines. Nevertheless, their hydrodynamic and mixing characteristics as well as the influence of various process engineering variables on their performance are not fully understood. In the current study, extensive experimentation (ERT and endoscopy) and the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach will […]

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a contagious bacterial disease that targets cells in the human respiratory tract. Whooping cough is an airborne disease that causes coughing fits, difficulty breathing and potentially death. Although it can be life threatening, the disease is preventable with proper immunization. Pertactin is a commonly used protein derived from […]

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza infections. However, the current production of influenza vaccines in embryonated chicken eggs has limited capacity during pandemics or high demand seasons, and is both labor-intensive and time-consuming. Consequently, there is a need to develop a robust production platform that can efficiently accelerate the production process and […]