Researchers at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) are contributing to the development of a new vaccine designed to provide broad protection against several deadly filoviruses, such as Ebola and Marburg. WUR's researchers are part of an international team led by Danish biotech company AdaptVac. The project has secured over €10.5 million in funding from CEPI - a public–private partnership for accelerated vaccine development - and Horizon Europe, the European Union's funding programme.
"We aim to develop a single vaccine that protects high-risk groups, such as healthcare workers, against multiple filoviruses in one go," says Wageningen virologist Gorben Pijlman. "Filoviruses are among the deadliest viruses in the world and can trigger catastrophic epidemics. An allinone filovirus vaccine would represent a major breakthrough."
Within the project, WUR will generate several vaccine candidates. Other partners will then assess their safety and immunogenicity - the vaccine's ability to stimulate the immune system to protect the body against the virus. WUR previously collaborated with AdaptVac on a COVID-19 vaccine, which in clinical trials was found to be safe and effective.
Although two vaccines exist for Zaire ebolavirus, there are currently no approved vaccines for Sudan ebolavirus, Marburg or Bundibugyo. These viruses all cause severe illness, including high fever and sometimes bleeding - known as viral haemorrhagic fever. A single vaccine offering protection against all these viruses could be a cost-effective solution to safeguard vulnerable populations.
The project will also generate crucial data and insights for CEPI's "100 Days Mission," supported by G7 and G20 nations. This initiative aims to have a clinically testable vaccine ready within 100 days of a novel virus's discovery, enabling faster containment of outbreaks.
Affordable pricing and equitable access
All partners are committed to equitable access to research outcomes, following CEPI's Equitable Access Policy. The collaboration agreement includes provisions for affordable pricing and sufficient supply volumes. All project data will be published open access for the global scientific community.
