Oxford and Ellison Institute launch £118m AI vaccine programme to combat antibiotic resistance
Oxford and Ellison Institute launch a £118m AI-driven vaccine programme targeting antibiotic resistance through human challenge trials. It combines immunology and AI to advance vaccine research.
Oxford Secures £118m for AI-Driven Vaccine Research with Ellison Institute
The University of Oxford has announced a £118 million programme focused on AI-enhanced vaccine research, named CoI-AI (Correlates of Immunity-Artificial Intelligence). This initiative, in partnership with the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), targets antibiotic resistance through human challenge trials.
Oxford Vaccine Group will lead the programme, combining expertise in human challenge studies, immunology, and vaccine development with EIT’s advanced AI technology. The goal is to deepen insights into infections and vaccine protection mechanisms.
CoI-AI Programme: Merging Human Challenge Trials with Artificial Intelligence
The CoI-AI programme will investigate immune responses to bacteria responsible for serious infections and antibiotic resistance, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and E. coli. Researchers will use controlled human challenge models, where volunteers are safely exposed to bacteria, alongside modern immunology and AI tools to identify immune markers predicting protection.
Established in December 2024 through a strategic alliance between Oxford and EIT, CoI-AI aims to develop practical solutions and train future leaders to address global health challenges. EIT brings expertise in generative biology, clinical medicine, sustainable energy, and public policy, supported by Oracle’s computing power and a dedicated Scholars programme for emerging scientists.
Addressing Critical Challenges in Infectious Disease
Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, said: “This programme tackles a pressing issue by improving our understanding of immunity to create vaccines against deadly diseases that have not yet been prevented. By combining immunology with AI and human challenge models, CoI-AI will equip us with tools to combat serious infections and reduce antibiotic resistance.”
Professor Daniela Ferreira, Deputy Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, added: “CoI-AI will provide new methods to study vaccine effects at cellular and systemic levels. Monitoring infections in real time with advanced immunology and data analysis will open new pathways for vaccine design.”
Larry Ellison, Chairman of the Ellison Institute of Technology, commented: “Our AI models will help identify the immune responses that predict protection. This collaboration combines Oxford’s vaccine expertise with AI technology, enabling faster and smarter vaccine development to respond effectively to infectious disease outbreaks.”
Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, stated: “This marks a significant advance in our partnership with EIT. Together, we integrate Oxford’s vaccine science capabilities with EIT’s vision to solve tough global health problems, attracting talent and resources to translate scientific challenges into solutions.”
Further Information
- Learn more about Oxford Vaccine Group’s work on immunology and vaccines at Oxford Vaccine Group.
- Discover more about AI applications in healthcare at the Complete AI Training platform.
