Just a few days after the World Health Organization (WHO) outlined the benefits that improved influenza vaccines could offer, the European Commission (EC) has heeded the agency’s calls, committing €225m ($265m) in funding to speed up the development of next-generation jabs for the virus.
The European Union (EU)’s executive body earmarked the funds via a pre-commercial procurement model, which funds research and development to bring innovative products to market.
Vaccine specialists Sanofi and Bavarian Nordic are among the ten recipients of contracts. Research bodies, including Sclavo Vaccines Association and the Stichting European Clinical Research Alliance On Infectious Diseases, are also on the list.
The investment will support vaccines designed to be easier to administer via the nose, mouth or skin patches, as well as vaccines that can be rapidly scaled up in emergencies. The aim is to hasten the development of vaccines that work against a wider range of influenza variants and that are also easily adapted to protect against a pandemic strain. No universal flu vaccine is currently approved.
Companies developing vaccines in clinical trials and those with products at pre-market development stand to benefit from the funding. Contracts will run for around eight years, covering clinical development through to market authorisation. The hope is that the pipeline of next-generation vaccines is widened and the chances of promising candidates making it to market are increased.
The EC’s pledge came two days after the WHO revealed research showcasing the public health gains that could be made from improved flu vaccines. According to the agency, improved or universal influenza vaccines could prevent up to 18 billion cases of influenza if used between 2025 and 2050.
Current influenza vaccines are highly effective but only in certain seasons and population demographics. Twice a year, the WHO issues recommendations for the influenza vaccine strain composition.
The EC stated that: “Flu viruses evolve constantly, which means vaccine technology must keep pace. This investment will accelerate vaccine development and strengthen Europe's ability to respond at scale.”
The move by Europe marks a divergence in vaccine strategy when compared to the US. The latter has undergone a shift in vaccine policy, with health secretary Robert F Kennedy (RFK) Jr aiming to reduce reliance on the modality for respiratory diseases. Earlier this month, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially refused to review a new seasonal mRNA-based flu vaccine developed by Moderna. Though the agency U-turned and agreed to assess the jab, the indecision reflects a difficult vaccine development landscape in the country. Moderna's mRNA-1010 flu jab is currently under review in the EU.
