Swiss institute partners with Oxford University for child health project

The University of Oxford is set to partner with the newly launched Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering (BIIE) in Switzerland.

The Global Research Centre, situated in Basel, has been established to advance child and adolescent health through the development of novel immune-based diagnostics and therapeutics.

Generously supported with an endowment of more than 1 billion USD from Fondation Botnar for the next 15 years, the BIIE will prioritise producing outputs that benefit the health of young people in low- and middle-income countries.

The new research Institute, with its international partnerships, including with the University of Oxford, is poised to expand its capacity and global reach.

The University of Oxford is set to collaborate with the BIIE, creating the Basel-Oxford Centre of Immune Engineering.

Prof. Sir Andrew Pollard, director of Oxford’s Vaccine Group, said: "BIIE’s strengths in biocomputation and immune engineering mean this partnership will further accelerate discovery as well as the creation of safe and effective medicines for children around the world."

The BIIE plans to establish strategic partnerships with internationally renowned research institutions and philanthropic organisations.

The aim is to work collectively on its mission to improve the health and well-being of adolescents and children globally.

Interim CEO of Fondation Botnar, Dr. Alexander Schulze said: "Understanding the immune system of children and young people in different parts of the world is key to developing solutions that can diagnose, prevent and treat infectious diseases and other health conditions."

The BIIE will be governed by the "Foundation for Immune Engineering for Global Child and Adolescent Health" (FIE) and its Board of Trustees.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Dominik Escher, Inaugural FIE Board Chair said: "Building a critical mass of immune engineers in Basel with a shared goal of improving the health of young people globally is both inspiring and complex."

Dr. Stephen Wilson, CEO of the BIIE emphasised the amalgamation of talents to drive the mission of the Institution.

He said: "The BIIE will bring together a critical mass of investigators, all of whom are experts in various aspects of immune engineering; combining their strengths and perspective should result in a sum greater than its parts."

BIIE’s research endeavours are focused on developing new techniques to improve health outcomes for children and adolescents, particularly those in low- and middle-income countries.

Prof. Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, FIE Trustee said: "Global impact is only possible with genuine global engagement.

"There are significant opportunities to elevate clinical research in the Global South if immune engineering tools are developed with specific intent."