European vaccine development moves forward

The European Vaccine Initiative, a product development partnership supporting the development of vaccines against diseases of poverty, has brought together to Brussels manufacturers, biotech companies, public/academic researchers, and funding agencies to identify the gaps in vaccine research and development (R&D) in Europe. In addition, a working group, set up in the yesterday’s meeting, will formulate an agenda for action to pave the way for putting in place a permanent infrastructure securing vaccine R&D and manufacturing in Europe. A separate meeting will be organised with European regulatory authorities to discuss how their contributions can be integrated into the activities of this working group. Sixty percent of global vaccine R&D is currently taking place in Europe. Cooperation is crucial to maintain and strengthen this leadership. Many of the scientific activities and the development of innovative technologies for new vaccines are taking place in dispersed academic and biotechnology centres.

“It is of paramount importance that a permanent infrastructure is established to ensure the continuing competitiveness of the European vaccine community,” says Dr. Odile Leroy, Executive Director of the European Vaccine Initiative.

In 2009, the European Commission funded the TRANSVAC project, which is now established as an open platform for vaccine R&D. TRANSVAC is comprised of numerous European groups who provide a complementary portfolio of vaccine-related expertise and technologies to European researchers in order to accelerate the development of new vaccines. At the end of October 2010 the project will enter into a new phase and offer external European groups access to its expertise and technologies.

“Successful vaccination is only possible through successful partnership of all those involved from discovery to the person that uses the vaccine. European Vaccine Manufacturers fully supports any initiative that will strengthen that partnership and ensure that more vaccines get to more people who can benefit as quickly as possible,” states Michael Watson, VP, Public Affairs, Sanofi-Pasteur and a representative of the European Vaccine Manufacturers.

Nathalie Imbault
Quality Assurance and External Relations Manager
European Vaccine Initiative
Tel. + 33 680 554 205 nathalie.imbault@euvaccine.eu

The European Vaccine Initiative (EVI) is a non-profit organisation based at UniversitätsKlinikum Heidelberg, Germany. EVI provides the funding and managerial expertise required for the development of vaccines against diseases of poverty. In addition, EVI acts as a coordinator for numerous vaccine development projects funded by the European Commission, including TRANSVAC. The collaboration of leading European groups within TRANSVAC results in TRANSVAC being able to offer a coordinated set of complimentary vaccine R&D facilities