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Thermostable vaccines to enable global immunization

Project description

Innovative formulation protects vaccines at high temperatures

Vaccination is the most effective method of stimulating the immune system to recognise specific disease-causing microorganisms and prevent infection. Vaccines contain various agents such as weakened microorganisms, proteins or nucleic acids that may be damaged when exposed to high temperatures. However, maintaining low temperatures during transport until vaccine administration poses a significant challenge, especially in resource-poor countries. The scope of the ERC-funded GLOBEVAC proof-of-concept project is to validate a novel formulation that makes vaccines thermostable even at high temperatures for long periods of time. This formulation is expected to maintain vaccine effectiveness and facilitate its distribution in all parts of the world.

Objective

With GLOBEVAC we present a novel solution to make vaccines thermostable, enabling global immunization by avoiding the need for cold chain logistics.

Vaccines are one of the most successful public health interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality of infectious diseases. To ensure the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine, the production and distribution of almost all vaccines require what is called a cold chain, where the vaccine is continuously kept below certain threshold temperatures, sometimes as low as 80C. The need for such a cold chain inhibits cost-efficient and rapid distribution of vaccines and significantly reduces immunization in low resource settings. Our GLOBEVAC approach consists of storing the vaccines in a novel formulation making them thermostable for weeks when kept at temperatures as high as 40C. Preliminary in vitro data has shown that our GLOBEVAC solution can be applied for several classes of vaccines: GLOBEVAC formulated adenovirus-based vaccines and vaccines based on enveloped viruses, that were stored at 40C, were as active and functional as the fresh ones kept at -80C.

In this ERC PoC we will technically validate our novel formulation for different classes of vaccines. Next to that, we will explore the commercial potential of GLOBEVAC by developing an intellectual property strategy and performing an extensive market analysis that will finally lead to the development of a tailored business strategy.

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2022-POC2

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Host institution

HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 150 000,00
Address
FABIANINKATU 33
00014 HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Finland

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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Beneficiaries (1)

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