# Core C: Vaccine production and process development

> **NIH NIH U19** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2024 · $5,637,003

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY – CORE C: VACCINE PRODUCTION AND PROCESS DEVELOPMENT
The Vaccine Production and Process Development Core will provide both high-throughput and scalable
biologics production and characterization as well as comprehensive process development to support protein-
and mRNA-based vaccine development in our Center and the broader ReVAMPP network. Protein production
and characterization efforts will leverage the expansive facilities, high-tech equipment, and unique expertise in
designed proteins and nanoparticle immunogens at UW’s Institute for Protein Design (IPD). In addition to the
designed antigens and nanoparticle vaccines produced to support Projects 3-5 of our Center, the Core will
produce and provide to the ReVAMPP network high-quality protein reagents such as monoclonal antibodies,
viral entry receptors, and benchmark antigens to accelerate vaccine design and evaluation broadly. mRNA
vaccine production and characterization will take place in a newly formed mRNA Core Laboratory at the IPD
built on cutting-edge equipment and production processes from Quantoom Biosciences, as well as lipid
nanoparticle formulation through an ongoing collaboration with Acuitas Therapeutics. Core C will also perform
detailed and comprehensive process development on our lead vaccine candidates, building on the IPD’s
proven track record in translating innovative protein-based medicines and vaccines to industry and government
partners. A dedicated team at the IPD will develop the methods, data, and documentation for comprehensive
technology transfer packages that will speed preclinical and clinical development of our arenavirus,
phenuivirus, and paramyxovirus vaccines. Our team has successfully transferred eight computationally
designed protein medicines to industry or government partners for cGMP manufacturing and clinical
development, including three nanoparticle vaccines that have all entered clinical trials, one of which, our RBD
nanoparticle vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, has been licensed for use in multiple countries. The unique expertise,
scale, and capabilities of Core C will be a key component of our Center that, moving forward, will provide a
flexible and responsive infrastructure that can rapidly respond to emerging threats.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10861408
- **Project number:** 1U19AI181881-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Lauren Carter
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $5,637,003
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-12 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10861408

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10861408, Core C: Vaccine production and process development (1U19AI181881-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10861408. Licensed CC0.

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