A $6.2m grant awarded to Afrigen Biologics from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (Cepi) will allow it to develop its human candidate mRNA Rift Valley fever (RVF) vaccine, which if successful, would be the first shot to protect people since the disease was identified 95 years ago.
RVF, the mosquito-borne viral disease affecting both humans and animals, is found in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, and while it mainly affects livestock, humans can also become infected from handling sick animals, carcasses or meat and occasionally from mosquito bites.
BusinessLIVE reports that several veterinary vaccines have been approved in endemic countries but none is licensed for use in humans, and scientists fear climate change may extend the range of mosquito species that can carry RVF.
Afrigen’s early discovery work on the vaccine candidate was funded by the philanthropic ELMA Foundation. Afrigen holds the intellectual property rights to the candidate vaccine, but will share its know-how in the event of a pandemic, in line with Cepi’s requirements.
The grant will enable Afrigen’s scientists to collaborate with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) to conduct preclinical studies in animal models and a phase 1 clinical trial in humans, in either SA or another affected country, said Afrigen CEO Petro Terblanche.
While most people who get RFV experience a mild flu-like illness, about 1%-2% develop a severe haemorrhagic form of the disease, which can cause blindness and encephalitis and has a mortality rate of about 50%.
Although RFV is not a disease of concern in SA, work on the candidate vaccine is part of a broader strategy to develop a vaccine that is important to the African continent, said Terblanche. Vaccine manufacturing would be licensed to partners in countries affected by the disease, she said.
The partnership would also strengthen Africa’s pandemic preparedness, said Cepi CEO Richard Hatchett.
“Speed, innovation and access are the pivotal forces that will make or break the spread of an epidemic or pandemic threat. An effective Rift Valley fever mRNA vaccine made in Africa, for Africa, raises the bar in our response to future outbreaks, and paves the way to make rapid response mRNA vaccines against similar viruses that could emerge on the continent or in other low- and middle-income countries.”
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