The $0.5m (€0.35m) US National Science Foundation (NSF) grant builds on earlier funding Stellar Biotechnologies has used to validate its system for sourcing keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH).
Vaccines using KLH, for which keyhole limpets are the sole source, are advancing through clinical trials prompting Stellar Biotechnologies to look ahead to how it can meet commercial-scale demand.
The NSF grant will be used for this purpose, and to develop a validated KLH-based immunogenicity assay. Earlier this month Stellar Biotechnologies inked a supply deal with SAFC to allow it to focus on its diagnostic programmes.