Diabetes Vaccine Development Centre   Overview Diabetes Vaccine Development Centre (DVDC) is a translational research organisation facilitating the development of immunotherapies to stop the development of type 1 diabetes, a chronic disease that affects approximately 140,000 Australians and 16 million people worldwide. It is a joint initiative of the Australian Government through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the New York based Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF). It was established in 2003 specifically to identify, evaluate, fund, support and manage a range of projects aimed at developing immunotherapies to prevent or at least delay the development of type 1 diabetes. Business Opportunities (i.e Corporate Alliances/Partnerships) DVDC is seeking partnerships, investment and/or alliances with organisations interested in the further development of its current project portfolio. It is also seeking new project opportunities to add to its pipeline. Technology/Products and Services Description Intranasal Insulin II trial DVDC is currently recruiting for a Phase II clinical trial (INIT II) of a new preventive treatment for type 1 diabetes for young people at risk of developing this condition.  If successful, the new therapy could prevent diabetes and the need for daily insulin injections. INIT II is a multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial in people whose family members already have type 1 diabetes. While currently not having diabetes themselves, these people are considered to be at a high risk of developing this condition themselves. The trial is designed to determine whether intranasal administration of an insulin spray will delay or prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes. Further information about this trial can be found at www.stopdiabetes.com.au. PI Peptide vaccine trial DVDC is supporting a Phase I safety study being carried out in the UK. This trial involves the intra-dermal administration of a potential new biopharmaceutical compound that has been implicated in the onset of type 1 diabetes. The aim of this study is to determine whether this compound can act to prevent type 1 diabetes development. The results of initial studies are currently being assessed with initial results indicating that the preparation being tested is safe. Competitive Advantages DVDC has access to leading edge type 1 diabetes immunology and clinical research worldwide. It has been positioned to bridge the gap that exists between fundamental research and full scale clinical product development fast tracking potential new immunotherapies from laboratory bench to proof of concept clinical trial. DVDC has several projects at different stages of development in its portfolio. The two most advanced projects are listed below. Website address: www.dvdc.org.au