What's Your Problem? Making a Universal Flu Vaccine
May 29, 2025
Jacob Glanville is a bioengineer and immunologist, and the founder of Centivax, on a mission to create a universal flu vaccine. They dive into the urgency of developing a vaccine that can protect against all flu strains, even future mutations. Glanville discusses innovative research techniques and collaborative efforts to tackle the challenges in vaccine technology. He also highlights the potential impacts on global health and the broader fight against pandemics, sharing insights on fundraising hurdles faced in the biotech industry.
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Targeting Conserved Flu Regions
- The flu virus mutates rapidly, requiring annual vaccine updates that are often only partially effective.
- Targeting the conserved "neck" region shared among many strains can create a universal vaccine effective against current and future flu variants.
Immune Focus by Diluted Protein Mixture
- Mixing diluted versions of the same protein from multiple species focuses the immune system on the conserved part.
- This strategy may unlock the 'Holy grail' of vaccine science by targeting immutable virus sites.
Validate Ideas Through Expertise
- Surround yourself with experts who can challenge your ideas to avoid tunnel vision.
- Credentialing through formal education can help gain credibility for innovative concepts.