Professor Darren Shafren
Professor
School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy (Immunology and Microbiology)
- Email:darren.shafren@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:(02) 4913 8158
Career Summary
Biography
- Virology and Oncolytic Virotherapy. - The molecular biology of picornaviruses, and the potential use of viruses as anti-cancer agents.
Qualifications
- PhD, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Newcastle
Keywords
- Carcinogenesis
- Microbiology
- Oncology
- Oncolytic Virotherapy
- Virology
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
| Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|
| Professor | University of Newcastle School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy Australia |
Awards
Recipient
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 1998 |
HMRI Young Medical Researcher of the Year Unknown |
| 1998 |
HMRI Young Medical Researcher of the Year Unknown |
| 1998 |
HMRI Young Medical Researcher of the Year Unknown |
Invitations
Participant
| Year | Title / Rationale |
|---|---|
| 2005 |
3rd International Conference on Oncolytic Viruses as Cancer Therapeutics Organisation: Mayo Clinic |
| 2005 |
3rd International Conference on Oncolytic Viruses as Cancer Therapeutics Organisation: Mayo Clinic |
| 2005 |
3rd International Conference on Oncolytic Viruses as Cancer Therapeutics Organisation: Mayo Clinic |
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Past Supervision
| Year | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | PhD | Investigation of Coxsackievirus A21 as a Potential Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer | PhD (Immunology & Microbiol), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
| 2016 | PhD | Investigation of Oncolytic Coxsackievirus A21 as a Potential Treatment for Lung Cancer | PhD (Immunology & Microbiol), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
| 2016 | PhD | Enhancement of Oncolytic Coxsackievirus A21 with Conventional Chemotherapies and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for the Treatment of Melanoma | PhD (Immunology & Microbiol), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
| 2014 | PhD | Low Pathogenic Human Enteroviruses as Novel Anti-Cancer Agents Against Malignant Glioma | PhD (Immunology & Microbiol), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
| 2009 | PhD | Enteroviral-Mediated Oncolysis of Cancer: Evaluation of Efficacy and Obstacles to Therapeutic Success | PhD (Immunology & Microbiol), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
| 2009 | PhD | Enteroviruses as Novel Oncolytic Agents for the Control of Human Prostate Cancer | PhD (Immunology & Microbiol), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
| 2008 | PhD | Viral Oncolysis of Human Breast Cancer | PhD (Immunology & Microbiol), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
| 2005 | PhD | Control of Cancer Progression by Virotherapy | PhD (Immunology & Microbiol), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
| 2003 | PhD | Mechanisms of Cell Entry and Release of Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) | PhD (Immunology & Microbiol), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Sole Supervisor |
| 2003 | PhD | Cellular Receptor Interactions of C Cluster Coxsackie A Viruses | PhD (Immunology & Microbiol), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
Research Collaborations
The map is a representation of a researchers co-authorship with collaborators across the globe. The map displays the number of publications against a country, where there is at least one co-author based in that country. Data is sourced from the University of Newcastle research publication management system (NURO) and may not fully represent the authors complete body of work.
| Country | Count of Publications | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 55 | |
| United Kingdom | 11 | |
| United States | 11 | |
| Sweden | 6 | |
| American Samoa | 1 | |
| More... | ||
News
News • 26 Apr 2023
First patient on trial in colorectal, gastric and ovarian cancer study
Newcastle biotechnology company ImmVirX Pty Limited has treated the first cancer patient in the clinical trial of its bio-selected oncolytic virus, IVX037.
News • 20 May 2021
ImmVirX raises $22 million for human trials
ImmVirX Pty Ltd has announced the successful completion of $22 million in fundraising, which will go towards first human studies of its new cancer treatment.
News • 22 Jan 2020
New biotech venture going viral in battle against cancer
The scientific team behind Viralytics, a Hunter-based biotech firm bought in 2018 by Merck for a record $502 million, is reuniting for a new private venture aiming to develop cutting-edge cancer therapies.
News • 22 Nov 2019
OPINION: Newcastle know-how to our region and the world
If I told you Australia’s biggest-earning innovation for the past quarter century came from Newcastle, would you believe me? Indeed, it has outstripped earnings from other icons like WiFi and the Black Box, but is little known for its economic contribution to the country.
News • 14 Nov 2018
University partnerships demonstrate powerful community impact
The University of Newcastle has been named a leader in the higher education sector for successfully developing and driving industry collaborations that have provided significant benefits to Australian communities and beyond.
News • 23 Feb 2018
UON biotech startup sells for $502 million
In what is now one of the biggest biotech transactions in Australian history, Viralytics – an oncolytic virotherapy firm originating from the University of Newcastle based on the work of Associate Professor Darren Shafren and his team, has been acquired for $502 million by world-leading pharmaceutical company, Merck.
News • 31 Jan 2014
Cancer therapy secures $27.1m funding
Viralytics Limited, a biotech company founded by University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) researcher Darren Shafren, has announced a capital raising venture of $27.1 million to complete international trials of anti-cancer therapy known as CAVATAKTM.
Professor Darren Shafren
Position
Professor
School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
Focus area
Immunology and Microbiology
Contact Details
| darren.shafren@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Phone | (02) 4913 8158 |
| Fax | (02) 4913 8814 |
Office
| Room | DMB305 |
|---|---|
| Building | David Maddison Clinical Sciences Building |
| Location | David Maddison Clinical Sciences Building , |
Connect with me
NEWS • Apr 26.2023
First patient on trial in colorectal, gastric and ovarian cancer study
Newcastle biotechnology company ImmVirX Pty Limited has treated the first cancer patient in the clinical trial of its bio-selected oncolytic virus, IVX037.
NEWS • May 20.2021
ImmVirX raises $22 million for human trials
ImmVirX Pty Ltd has announced the successful completion of $22 million in fundraising, which will go towards first human studies of its new cancer treatment.
NEWS • Jan 22.2020
New biotech venture going viral in battle against cancer
The scientific team behind Viralytics, a Hunter-based biotech firm bought in 2018 by Merck for a record $502 million, is reuniting for a new private venture aiming to develop cutting-edge cancer therapies. ImmVirX.
NEWS • Nov 22.2019
OPINION: Newcastle know-how to our region and the world
If I told you know Australia’s biggest-earning innovation for the past quarter century came from Newcastle, would you believe me? Indeed, it has outstripped earnings from other icons like WiFi and the Black Box, but is little known for its economic contribution to the country.
NEWS • Nov 14.2018
University partnerships demonstrate powerful community impact
The University of Newcastle's successful industry collaborations have provided significant benefits to Australian communities and beyond.
NEWS • Feb 23.2018
UON biotech startup sells for $502 million
Oncolytic virotherapy firm Viralytics, which originated from the work of UON's Associate Professor Darren Shafren, has been acquired for $502 million by world-leading pharmaceutical company, Merck.
NEWS • Jan 31.2014
Cancer therapy secures $27.1m funding
Viralytics announces $27.1m for completion of international trials of CAVATAK