The UQ-developed Coridon technology provides the means for identifying and modifying the genetic codes used preferentially (“codon usage”) in particular cells in combining amino acids for the production of proteins. 

The platform gene technology has been licensed to Coridon Pty Ltd, a spin-off technology commercialisation company, which is undertaking the development and commercialisation of products using the platform. 

The company has completed a pre-clinical development program for a product for use as a cure for certain types of skin cancers.  The product aims to inhibit the action of proteins required for the growth of cancer cells without detrimental effect in surrounding healthy cells. A proof of principle program demonstrated that codon modification of a gene will substantially increase the protein yield from CHO cell ferments, presently used in the commercial production of proteins for use in medicine. 

The technology has a range of applications from the development of therapeutics for use in human and animal health; to improving cell line protein yield for drug development; to polynucleotide vaccines for combined prophylactic and therapeutic effect. Coridon’s optimisation technology could potentially be applied to the development of DNA vaccines for a range of infectious diseases and cancers.  As the technology should stimulate not only a strong antibody response but also a robust cellular immune response, it is particularly suited to the development of therapeutic vaccines. Another potential target that Coridon may pursue is a therapeutic vaccine for cervical cancer.
 
Coridon has two principle lines of business. The first is the development of new immunotherapeutic products, based on internal research. The company also undertakes contract work for third parties interested in increasing the effectiveness or efficiency of their proprietary technologies or processes by the targeted regulation of expression.

Media release