Virax Biolabs Forges Strategic Research Collaboration with University of Manchester and the Northern Care Alliance Foundation Trust to Enhance Understanding of Immune Responses in COVID Patients

LONDON, Dec. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Virax Biolabs Group Limited (NASDAQ: VRAX) ("Virax" or the "Company"), an innovative biotechnology company focused on the detection of immune responses and diagnosis of viral diseases, today announced a strategic collaboration with the University of Manchester and the Northern Care Alliance Foundation Trust, who have a track record in working together to deliver translational immunology research  for respiratory viral infections. This collaboration aims to apply the ViraxImmune IVD platform to broaden the understanding of T-Cell immune response in COVID patients in the ImRESP (Immunology of Respiratory Conditions) study.

As part of the ImRESP clinical study, the ViraxImmune T-Cell assay will be assessed in respiratory disease patients where the role of memory T-cell driven immunity will be evaluated.   Furthermore, within the ImRESP clinical study, the T-cell assay will be assessed in a distinct cohort of patients experiencing Long COVID symptoms. This segment of the study will involve the longitudinal assessment of samples, aiming to discern specific phenotypic T-cell profiles associated with these individuals.

"Our valued research collaboration with University of Manchester is instrumental in generating impactful data on T-cell-driven immunity's role in symptoms linked to T-cell exhaustion and chronic inflammation following post-viral exposure", said James Foster, CEO at Virax Biolabs, "The data generated as part of this collaboration will be used in the ongoing development of our In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) test for Long COVID to help with the early detection and treatment management of these individuals".

"Disordered inflammation is likely to be central issue for many people diagnosed with long COVID. This study will help to identify and characterize this subset of patients which is the first step towards rationalizing future therapies," said Dr Sean Knight, Chief Investigator for the ImRESP study.

This collaboration underscores Virax Biolabs' commitment to advancing diagnostic capabilities and understanding immune responses, particularly in post-viral syndromes and conditions associated with chronic inflammation. The collaboration with the University of Manchester represents a significant step toward developing innovative solutions for diagnosing and managing post-viral syndromes.

ImRESP is an observational study sponsored by the Northern Care Alliance Foundation Trust in the UK and has been designed to evaluate the long term effects of respiratory infections on the immune system in many different contexts including long COVID and progression of chronic lung disease.

About Virax Biolabs Group Limited.

Virax Biolabs Group Limited is an innovative biotechnology company focused on the detection of immune responses to and diagnosis of viral diseases. In addition to distributing an array of in-vitro diagnostic test kits, Virax Biolabs Group Limited is currently developing T cell based test technologies with the intention of providing an immunology profiling platform. T cell testing can be particularly effective in the diagnosis and therapeutics of Long COVid as well as chronic inflammation and other post viral syndromes including myalgic encephalomyelitis, Hepaitis B, Malaria, Herpes and Human Papillomavirus.

For more information, please visit www.viraxbiolabs.com.

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SOURCE Virax Biolabs