Universal flu vaccine under development by Oxford spinout Vaccitech

Oxford spin out company Vaccitech has launched today with £10m seed investment to develop a universal flu vaccine already showing promise in clinical trials. Vaccitech has raised £10m from investment company Oxford Sciences Innovation to take a number of vaccines through clinical trials. Vaccitech’s lead product is a “universal” flu vaccine which would work against all varieties of the virus. “We’ve targeted two proteins inside the virus which do not change, even as the virus mutates the proteins on its surface,” explains Adrian Hill, director of the Jenner Institute. Vaccitech is also working on vaccines to fight cancer by turning the immune system against the disease. The Financial Times: Oxford biotech deals highlight stature of UK university spinouts.