Nobel celebrations for mRNA scientists Karikó and Weissman
On 2nd October 2023 the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2023 was announced as jointly awarded to Drs Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman. The prize celebrates their “discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA...
WHO: southern hemisphere flu vaccine recommendations
In September 2023 the WHO announced recommendations for the viral composition of influenza vaccines for the 2024 influenza season in the southern hemisphere. Issued at an information session at the Composition of Influenza Virus Vaccines meeting, the updates are based...
WHO recommends Oxford’s malaria vaccine for use
In October 2023 the University of Oxford announced that the WHO has recommended its malaria vaccine for the prevention of malaria in children.
MOST POPULAR THIS MONTH
BactiVac announces government funding: vaccines vs AMR
In September 2023 the University of Birmingham shared that the Bacterial Vaccines Network (BactiVac) was awarded £1.4 million by the UK government. This funding is intended to “accelerate” the development of bacterial vaccines to prevent infections and is part of the...
Gavi’s 2022 progress report: rebounds and challenges
In September 2023 Gavi announced the publication of its 2022 Annual Progress Report, which presents insights into a “year of recovery” for immunisation services thanks to “historic levels of investment” by lower-income countries. Just a few months ago the organisation...
CEPI and Global Affairs Canada collaborate on biosecurity
In September 2023 CEPI announced a “renewed collaboration” with Global Affairs Canada, comprising CAD 1 million in funding to “accelerate the development of vaccines against emerging infectious disease”. The funding will support CEPI’s efforts to “manage the inherent...
Report: investigating vaccine manufacturing in Africa
We know from before and during the COVID-19 pandemic that Africa’s demand for vaccines exceeds its local supply: 99% of vaccines administered on the continent are imported. The pandemic highlighted an existing need, but did it also galvanise action to establish...
COVID-19 vaccines and unexpected vaginal bleeding
Although insufficient attention has been directed towards the effects of vaccination on menstrual experiences, a study published in Science Advances in September 2023 presents research into the link between COVID-19 vaccination and “unexpected vaginal bleeding” in...
Gritstone bio awarded BARDA contract for COVID-19 study
In September 2023 Gritstone bio announced that is has been awarded a contract by BARDA to conduct a Phase IIb comparative study that will evaluate the company’s self-amplifying mRNA (samRNA) vaccine candidate, targeting COVID-19. The agreement is valued at up to $433...
Revital gets Pre-Qualification: early activation AD syringe
In September 2023 Revital Healthcare announced a “historic milestone in African manufacturing excellence”. The company was awarded Pre-Qualification (PQ) status by WHO in July 2023 for its early activation auto-disable (AD) syringe in Africa. This marks more than 10...
Genomic surveillance strategies: WHO’s step-by-step guide
In September 2023 WHO shared Considerations for developing a national genomic surveillance strategy or action plan for pathogens with pandemic and epidemic potential to support countries in the development of genomic surveillance strategies. This publication seeks to...
LATEST
Vaccine start-ups return to the World Vaccine Congress!
In the last few weeks before the World Vaccine Congress in Barcelona, our start-up zone is reaching capacity! This week we are pleased to present
Cambridge shares further antigen technology success
The University of Cambridge announced in September 2023 that a vaccine antigen technology developed in collaboration with spin-out DIOSynVax
UKHSA and CSL Seqirus partnership: flu pandemic preparation
In September the UKHSA announced an agreed deal for “millions of life-saving vaccines” has been signed with CSL Seqirus. The advance purchase agreement (APA)
“A New Species of Trouble”: pandemic preparation in Africa
Pandemic Centre at Brown University School of Public Health publication emphasises the importance of “identification, attribution, and consequence management”
Tuberculosis goals: leaders reaffirm “collective commitment”
At the United Nations General Assembly high-level meeting on tuberculosis world leaders approved a political declaration reaffirming their collective commitment
WHO’s 2022 statistics reveal global cholera surge
Data from the WHO published in September 2023 offer an insight into the extent of cholera surges across the world. The comprehensive statistics for 2022
THERAPEUTIC
Off-the-shelf lung cancer vaccine makes “major” progress
In September 2023 Ose Immunotherapeutics announced the publication of new data supporting its cancer vaccine, Tedopi, in HLA-A2 positive patients
Elevating the potential of cancer vaccines: Dr Kyle Holen
As we find ourselves in September and ever closer to the Congress in Barcelona next month, our interview series is kicking off with vigour.
CARsgen and Moderna unite to tackle Claudin18.2
A collaboration between Chinese company CARsgen and Texas-based Moderna was announced by the former in August 2023. The agreement was initiated
Patient advocate by choice: Solve M.E.’s Oved Amitay
In this post we are thrilled to share a pre-event conversation with Solve M.E.’s President and CEO Oved Amitay, in which we discuss his team’s work
EBV vaccine candidate makes progress in study
In a study published in Nature Communications in August 2023 presents early findings for a “cutting-edge” vaccine candidate developed at QIMR Berghofer.
TECHNOLOGY
WHO recommends Oxford’s malaria vaccine for use
In October 2023 the University of Oxford announced that the WHO has recommended its malaria vaccine for the prevention of malaria in children.
WHO: southern hemisphere flu vaccine recommendations
In September 2023 the WHO announced recommendations for the viral composition of influenza vaccines for the 2024 influenza season in the southern hemisphere
BactiVac announces government funding: vaccines vs AMR
In September 2023 the University of Birmingham shared that the Bacterial Vaccines Network (BactiVac) was awarded £1.4 million by the UK government
Gritstone bio awarded BARDA contract for COVID-19 study
In September 2023 Gritstone bio announced that is has been awarded a contract by BARDA to conduct a Phase IIb comparative study that will evaluate
Revital gets Pre-Qualification: early activation AD syringe
In September 2023 Revital Healthcare announced a “historic milestone in African manufacturing excellence”. The company was awarded Pre-Qualification (PQ)
INFECTION
WHO’s 2022 statistics reveal global cholera surge
Data from the WHO published in September 2023 offer an insight into the extent of cholera surges across the world. The comprehensive statistics for 2022
Bluetongue virus: serotype 3 confirmed on Dutch sheep farms
An update from Wageningen Bioveterinary Research in September 2023 shared that the European reference laboratory in Madrid has confirmed the characterisation
High alert: confirmed outbreak of Nipah in India
India announces containment measures to control the spread of Nipah, detected in the southern state of Kerala, attention is returning to the need for a vaccine
UKHSA expands SIREN study on respiratory pathogens
In September 2023 the UKHSA announced that the flagship SIREN study is “entering a new phase” of surveillance of respiratory infections in healthcare workers.
England to bring forward autumn vaccination programmes
The UK government announced in August 2023 that the autumn flu and COVID-19 vaccine programmes will start “earlier than planned
GLOBAL HEALTH
Nobel celebrations for mRNA scientists Karikó and Weissman
On 2nd October 2023 the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2023 was announced as jointly awarded to Drs Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman
Gavi’s 2022 progress report: rebounds and challenges
In September 2023 Gavi announced the publication of its 2022 Annual Progress Report, which presents insights into a “year of recovery” for immunisation
CEPI and Global Affairs Canada collaborate on biosecurity
CEPI announced a “renewed collaboration” with Global Affairs Canada, comprising CAD 1 million in funding to “accelerate the development of vaccines
Report: investigating vaccine manufacturing in Africa
Before and during the COVID-19 pandemic that Africa’s demand for vaccines exceeds its local supply: 99% of vaccines administered on the continent are imported.
COVID-19 vaccines and unexpected vaginal bleeding
Although insufficient attention has been directed towards the effects of vaccination on menstrual experiences, a study published in Science Advances in 2023
