CVVT

Outbreaks of infectious diseases pose a grave risk and burden formedical services and public health systems, both in the human cost of suffering and socioeconomic disruption.

Implementing proactive and effective surveillance and control measures for such outbreaks requires a comprehensive knowledge of the viruses circulating in both animals and humans.

Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics (CVVT) has been established to develop that critical base of knowledge and transform impactful research discoveries into practical applications to control and even prevent infectious diseases. Apart from the comprehensive knowledge of the viruses, CVVT aims to develop a novel vaccine platform for respiratory viruses, broad spectrum antivirals for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment, and highly-multiplex diagnostic tests for rapid detection.

CVVT gathers top-notch researchers from various disciplines to apply their experience and expertise in translating scientific understanding into mid- to down-stream R&D for the control of emerging infectious diseases and further into clinical solutions. With an ambition of promoting Hong Kong as the global collaboration hub for virology, vaccinology and therapeutics, CVVT focuses on driving four multi-pronged research programmes:

• Develop a novel platform for generating safe and effective vaccines against respiratory viruses such as COVID-19 and influenza virus.
• Engineer novel antibodies for the prevention and treatment of HIV and respiratory viruses.
• Create host-targeting broad spectrum antivirals with multiple mechanisms of action.
• Develop new virus-targeting antivirals using state-of-the-art approaches such as antiviral peptides and gene-based therapy.