Part 2: Australia’s Rapid Response to the Coronavirus

How is Australia progressing in the race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine? The MTPConnect podcast checked in with University of Queensland’s Dr Keith Chappell and Professor Trent Munro, who are leading a research team using their patented molecular clamp technology to create a vaccine in record time. The UQ team, which includes Professor Paul Young, is the only Australian organisation backed by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and who along with Australian biotech giant CSL recently signed a deal to develop and manufacture the candidate. We first spoke to Trent on the podcast back in February 2020, when the new coronavirus was just emerging in Australia and before the WHO global pandemic declaration. Now, just four months later, COVID-19 has spread around the world, with more than 8 million cases and close to half a million people dying. Already, their vaccine is moving into human clinical trials, and if successful, the vaccine could be available in 2021.  Keith and Trent discuss their extraordinary quest, and the importance of collaboration, funding and teamwork.