European Vaccine Initiative: lessons from developing malaria vaccines. (December 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Geels, Mark J; Imoukhuede, Egeruan B; Imbault, Nathalie; van Schooten, Harry; McWade, Terry; Troye-Blomberg, Marita; Dobbelaer, Roland; Craig, Alister G; Leroy, Odile
• Is Part Of: Expert review of vaccines. Volume 10:Number 12(2011)
• Page Start: 1697
• Page End: 1708
• Publication Date: 2011-12
• Subjects: diseases of poverty -- EMVI -- EVI -- malaria -- PDP -- research infrastructure -- vaccine; Vaccines -- Periodicals; Vaccination -- Periodicals; 615.37205
• DOI: 10.1586/erv.11.158
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-0584

Abstract

For over 10 years, the European Vaccine Initiative (EVI; European Malaria Vaccine Initiative until 2009) has contributed to the development of 24 malaria candidate vaccine antigens with 13 vaccine candidates being advanced into Phase I clinical trials, two of which have been transitioned for further clinical development in sub-Saharan Africa. Since its inception the EVI organization has operated as a funding agency, but with a clear service-oriented strategy. The scientific successes and difficulties encountered during these years and how these efforts have led to standardization and harmonization in vaccine development through large-scale European consortia are discussed. In the future, the EVI will remain instrumental in the pharmaceutical and clinical development of vaccines against 'diseases of poverty'' with a continued focus on malaria. EVI will continue to focus on funding and managing preclinical evaluation up to Phase I/II clinical trials and strengthening the vaccine-development infrastructure in Europe, albeit with a global orientation.