Facts & figures
Tuberculosis
- No. 1 leading infectious disease killer
- 1.3 million deaths per year, globally
- 10 million people infected each year, globally
News_
Vaxosome secures NSW RNA Pipeline grant for tuberculosis vaccine
11 March 2026
University of Sydney spin-out advancing multiplex mRNA vaccines
Vaxosome, a biotechnology company spun out of the University of Sydney, has secured support through the NSW RNA Pipeline Grant program to accelerate development of a next-generation mRNA tuberculosis vaccine.
A new biotechnology company emerging from the University of Sydney is set to accelerate development of next-generation vaccines following support through the NSW Government’s RNA Pipeline Grant program.
Vaxosome Pty Ltd, founded by researchers from Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute (Sydney ID), is developing a multiplexed mRNA vaccine platform designed to target tuberculosis (TB), one of the world’s leading infectious disease killers. The technology packages multiple TB antigens into a single lipid nanoparticle, enabling the immune system to recognise several components of the pathogen simultaneously.
Vaxosome co-founders A/Prof Megan Steain, Prof Jamie Triccas and Dr Claudio Counoupas
The funding, provided through the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, will support early-stage development of the platform and position the company to advance toward clinical development while strengthening NSW’s sovereign RNA capability.
The Vaxosome platform builds on many years of research conducted at the University of Sydney and its affiliated institutes, including the Centenary Insititute, and on longstanding collaborative work with researchers at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, particularly the team led by Professor Colin Pouton. By combining advances in mRNA engineering, lipid nanoparticle delivery and antigen design, the approach aims to improve immune coverage against complex pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Co-founder Professor Jamie Triccas, Deputy Director of Sydney ID, said the funding marks an important step in translating academic discovery into a biotechnology venture capable of developing globally relevant vaccines.
Tuberculosis remains the leading cause of death from a single infectious pathogen. Our approach is to deliver multiple TB antigens within a single mRNA-lipid nanoparticle formulation, allowing the immune system to recognise several stages of infection. This support enables us to translate years of research into a platform with real potential for global health impact.
Prof Jamie Triccas, Deputy Director, Sydney ID
Translating research into commercial innovation
The spin-out reflects the University of Sydney’s growing emphasis on translating research into commercial innovation.
Professor John Prins, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health, said the new company highlights the strength of the University’s biomedical research ecosystem.
“Vaxosome demonstrates how fundamental discovery research conducted at the University of Sydney can translate into real-world solutions for major global health challenges,” Professor Prins said. “Supporting researchers to move promising technologies from the laboratory into companies capable of developing new vaccines and therapies is a key part of our strategy.”
Professor Antoine van Oijen, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research Enterprise), said the spin-out represents an important example of research commercialisation in action. “The creation of Vaxosome shows how strong collaboration between researchers, industry partners and government programs can accelerate the translation of scientific discovery,” Professor van Oijen said.
Spin-outs like this play a critical role in building Australia’s biotechnology capability while delivering innovations with global health impact.
Prof Antoine van Oijen, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research Enterprise)
Tuberculosis infects more than 10 million people each year and causes over 1.3 million deaths globally. Despite the widespread use of the BCG vaccine for a century, more effective vaccines are urgently needed.
By developing multiplex mRNA vaccine technologies, Vaxosome aims to address this challenge while contributing to the rapidly expanding RNA therapeutics ecosystem in New South Wales.
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