Distribution of vaccines requiring cold storage is costly and complex. This webinar presents the development of a lyophilized simian adenovirus-vectored vaccine (ChAdOx1 platform) enabling ambient temperature stability. Dr. Cheng Zhang will discuss the formulation design, optimization using design of experiments, and process improvements that preserved vaccine potency while minimizing infectivity loss during drying and storage. This approach supports reliable “last leg” distribution without refrigeration and may advance other adenovirus-vectored vaccines.
Dr. Cheng Zhang is a biochemical engineer specialising in protein design, bioprocess, and formulation development. With research and industry experience at University College London (UCL), Ipsen, Kymab/Sanofi, Cardiff University and Zentraxa, he has worked on projects ranging from vaccine manufacturing to protein/peptide engineering. He combines extensive wet lab expertise with computational modelling and machine learning, enabling innovative solutions that bridge experimental and digital approaches. He actively collaborates across disciplines to advance drug development in the healthcare sector.
Dr. Zhang played a key role in the lyophilisation process development for the ChAdOx adenovirus-vectored vaccines, a collaboration between Oxford University and UCL. He later joined Kymab/Sanofi, where he led freeze-drying manufacturing and testing capabilities within the CMC department, ensuring compliance with Sanofi standards and contributing to the company’s global Centre of Excellence activities.
Speaker
Cheng Zhang, PhD
Senior Bioprocess Scientist, Zentraxa Limited
