TRANSVAC

European Network of Vaccine Development and Research

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The TRANSVAC infrastructure will accelerate the pharmaceutical and clinical development of promising vaccine candidates by bringing the gap between academic research and clinical trials through carefully managing the advancement of promising vaccine candidates from preclinical animal models to early proof-of-principle studies in humans. Although expertise already exists within Europe spanning different disease types, there is currently very limited coordination between vaccine R&D groups, assay developers and vaccine producers. Unarguably, fragmentation of expertise and facilities has slowed, and in some instances distinctly impeded, the development and validation of promising vaccine candidates. To address these challenges the European vaccine development community needs to establish a collaborative vaccine development infrastructure based on shared visions and goals. The European Vaccine Initiative (EVI) and the Tuberculosis Vaccine Integrated (TBVI) Project have each demonstrated significant success in creating the know-how and infrastructures to enable the advancement of European vaccine development. In order to sustain the momentum generated by EVI and TBVI these successes will be built-upon to create an infrastructure driven by EVI, in which all stakeholders commit to sharing facilities and knowhow on vaccine development. This consortium (TRANSVAC) will comprise major European stakeholders with expertise, resources and facilities for each stage of vaccine development, from the scientific community as well as vaccine developers. Each stakeholder can add to what EVI and TBVI have already established by adding their own expertise to the TRANSVAC long term strategy. TRANSVAC will be the European driving force for vaccine development, and will be accessible to any interested parties. This consortium will initiate a new era in the innovative, harmonised and rapid development of accessible and efficacious vaccines for Europe and the rest of the world.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

The EU is fostering the implementation of a joint research infrastructure for harmonised and rapid vaccine development. This will impact the quality of research and ensure the fast development of efficacious, safe and affordable vaccines.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Although Europe has significant research expertise on various disease types, coordination between vaccine research and development (R&D) and production is rather fragmented. Better coordination would speed up the validation of vaccine candidates and promote the most promising leads.

Funded in part by the EU, the 'European network of vaccine development and research' (TRANSVAC) project is a joint effort of leading European groups in the field of vaccine development. The ultimate goal of the consortium is to enhance coordination among stakeholders involved in all stages of vaccine development and propose a European roadmap for vaccine R&D.

Networking activities by TRANSVAC partners include the establishment of vaccine development facilities, novel vaccine formulations and testing in animal models as well as the harmonisation of immunoassays for clinical trials.

Researchers are in the process of optimising standard operating protocols (SOPs) on selected antigens and adjuvants used in vaccine formulations. A total of eight antigens used in different vaccines have so far been produced in bulk and made available. Also, a bank of cell lines suitable for good manufacturing practice (GMP) production of viral-vectored vaccines has been generated.

Additionally, the consortium is developing assays to monitor the immune responses in various animal models following vaccination. Similar assays are being developed to assess the immune responses of individuals in clinical trials, and the operating protocols are being standardised for pan-European use.

Workshop on the responsible use of animal models in pre-clinical vaccine development was attended by 30 stakeholders. Stakeholder meetings will help design a vaccine development roadmap for Europe that will promote vaccine R&D. By identifying the gaps and needs in vaccine R&D in Europe, the consortium will propose specific activities to improve these shortcomings.

The TRANSVAC infrastructure will provide services in vaccine formulation and pre-clinical testing to expedite the process of vaccine development. In the long run, these activities would benefit areas of medicine such as cancer, allergy and diabetes.