Thomas Jefferson University wins grant funding from state in race for novel coronavirus vaccine

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 27 – State Rep. Mary Isaacson said she is excited that Thomas Jefferson University will continue its efforts to create a COVID-19 vaccine with $508,480 in state funding announced today by Gov. Tom Wolf.

According to Isaacson, Thomas Jefferson University was awarded funding from COVID-19 Vaccines, Treatments, and Therapies project funds available to support the rapid advancement of vaccines, treatments and therapies by qualified biotechnology entities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project is part of $10 million in funding awarded by Wolf to 23 entities in concert with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.    

“I am thrilled to see a quality research university like Thomas Jefferson University be given the opportunity to advance its efforts to fight a global pandemic that has dramatically changed our lives this year,” Isaacson said. “As the coronavirus began its spread, Thomas Jefferson sprang into action, working with researchers and manufacturers to join in the fight for a safe and effective vaccine that will need to be available to billions of people across the globe.

“I congratulate our talented researchers at Thomas Jefferson for winning this project funding and thank Governor Wolf for his leadership in getting project funding like this into very capable hands.”

Projects awarded funding through DCED include those that will study the use of cancer medications on COVID-19 patients; the development of a research and training space to accelerate the pace of COVID-19 treatment development; the acceleration of vaccine development efforts; and the development of a protective antibody for at-risk individuals, including the elderly, among other innovative and promising new ideas.