Naobios, Nuvonis, and EVI Join Forces for Influenza Vaccine Development

Naobios, a contract development and manufacturing organization, has formed a strategic partnership with biotechnology company Nuvonis and the European Vaccine Initiative (EVI) to advance the development of a Human Viral Challenge Agent for influenza A(H3N2). This collaboration is part of the Inno4Vac consortium, which aims to enhance vaccine development processes and support Controlled Human Infection Model studies.

The initiative addresses the pressing need for more efficient influenza vaccine development. The project will facilitate the establishment of a Controlled Human Infection Model (CHIM) for influenza A(H3N2). This model allows for the exposure of healthy adult volunteers to a well-characterised virus under clinical conditions, generating valuable data on vaccine efficacy and immune responses.

Accelerating Vaccine Development

Naobios will lead the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) production of the Human Viral Challenge Agent utilizing Nuvonis’s GMP Vero Working Cell Bank. This method streamlines the production process by eliminating the need for additional cell bank development, thereby accelerating manufacturing timelines. Vero cells are widely endorsed by regulatory authorities such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their reliability in vaccine production.

Christina Nicolodi, CEO of Nuvonis, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “Our GMP Vero Working Cell Bank will play a crucial role in accelerating the GMP manufacturing process by eliminating the need for time-consuming cell bank production and reducing the associated risks and costs.”

Naobios has a proven track record, having delivered over 30 GMP batches of Human Viral Challenge Agents, including a Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) challenge agent in collaboration with Inno4Vac. The new influenza project not only strengthens Naobios’s long-standing partnership with EVI but also broadens its involvement in innovative vaccine development efforts.

Impact on Public Health

The collaboration reflects a significant step forward in the fight against influenza. Seasonal influenza poses a substantial global health challenge, with millions affected each year. By developing a reliable Human Viral Challenge Agent, this initiative aims to improve seasonal influenza vaccines, ultimately enhancing public health outcomes.

The partnership between Naobios, Nuvonis, and EVI underscores the importance of collaboration in addressing pressing health concerns. As the world continues to face challenges related to infectious diseases, innovative approaches such as this project may pave the way for more effective vaccination strategies in the future.