Replicate Bioscience, a clinical-stage company developing novel self-replicating RNA (srRNA) technology for applications across infectious disease, immunology, and other therapeutic areas, announced on Friday that it has been awarded a third research grant from the Gates Foundation.

The grant of approximately USD3m is intended to enable Replicate to accelerate the development of safe, effective, and globally accessible tuberculosis (TB) vaccines using the company's clinically validated srRNA platform.

"Clinical data from our srRNA rabies vaccine programme support the potential of this platform to induce immune responses at low doses," said Nathaniel Wang, PhD, Replicate CEO. "We look forward to applying these learnings to the development of TB vaccine candidates with the goal of improving access for populations most affected by TB.

"In addition, this grant from the foundation will support our mission of ensuring vaccine accessibility for global populations to combat devastating infectious diseases."

Replicate has previously been awarded grants from the Gates Foundation to develop srRNA vaccine candidates for HIV and malaria, and has entered into a collaborative agreement with Instituto Butantan to develop and commercialise its srRNA rabies vaccine in Latin America. Replicate says that together, these programmes reflect its mission of harnessing its low-dose srRNA platform to deliver more accessible, effective vaccines to at-risk populations worldwide.