First results from Vaccines and Viral Diseases Task Force
The European Commission, DG XII, has published updated information on the work of the Vaccines and Viral Diseases Task Force, detailing some results of the Task Force's work. The Vaccines and Viral Diseases Task Force was one of eight established by the Commission in 1995, with the aim of improving coordination of research in key areas. Following wide-ranging consultations with industry, the public sector and the scientific community, the Task Force published a report in early 1996, in which priority areas for R&D are identified: - Vaccines against diseases of major socio-economic impact, cancer and emerging diseases; - Mucosal immunity and oral vaccines; - Animal models for vaccines research. As a result of the Task Force's recommendations, the Work Programmes of the BIOTECH and BIOMED specific RTD programmes were updated to incorporate the priorities identified. Calls launched since then have resulted in a total of 134 proposals on vaccine research submitted to the two programmes, requesting total funding of ECU 158 million. Of these, 34 proposals have so far been selected for funding and are receiving Community financing totalling ECU 26.8 million.