Stability of vaccines during transport and storage

Specific challenge

Currently available vaccine candidates need to be stored and transported at low temperature to maintain activity. Maintaining these conditions for deploying the vaccine in the areas targeted for vaccination can be challenging.

Scope

The project(s) will develop tools and technologies to be able to distribute current Ebola vaccine candidates utilising existing vaccine deployment infrastructure while taking into account current stability features (e.g. the need for low temperature) and also taking into account real-world field conditions and the health systems context.

Proposals that cover stability testing and supporting analytical capabilities to be applied at all stages of the shipping, storage and deployment process are encouraged.

It is considered that an IMI2 JU financial contribution of approximately 2 million and an EFPIA in-kind contribution of approximately EUR 2 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nevertheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected impact

Better availability of Ebola vaccines. Novel tools and technologies for distributing current vaccines that require very low temperatures for stability.