Coronavirus Vaccines Research and Development Roadmap launched
Wednesday 22nd Feb 2023, 1.55pm
There are two key concerns about coronaviruses that demand better vaccines today. New COVID-19 variants continue to emerge, evade immune protection, and fuel the current pandemic, and the threat of other new and dangerous coronaviruses jumping from animals to humans in the future. Staying ahead of rapidly evolving coronavirus threats demands immediate action to develop broadly protective vaccines.
Helen McShane, Professor of Vaccinology and Director of the Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at the University of Oxford said:
‘The development of durable, broadly protective vaccines against coronavirus is a critical global goal that will require significant international collaboration. The development of this roadmap is a welcome first step which helps define the path ahead.’
The roadmap was developed by the Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota with support from The Rockefeller Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Forged by more than 50 scientific leaders from around the world, the unified strategy covers the multiple, complex research endeavours needed to develop broadly protective coronavirus vaccines, with specific timelines and milestones. From the University of Oxford, Prof Helen McShane, Professor of Vaccinology at the Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM) and Director of the Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre; Prof Teresa Lambe, Calleva Head of Vaccine Immunology and Professor of Vaccinology and Immunology at the Department of Paediatrics; and Prof Andrew Pollard, Ashall Professor of Infection and Immunity and Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, are involved in the roadmap’s steering group.
Teresa Lambe, Cavella Head of Vaccine Immunology and Professor of Vaccinology and Immunology in the Department of Paediatrics and the Oxford Vaccine Group at the University of Oxford said:
‘This was a unique opportunity to work collaboratively, drawing on the expertise accumulated across the last three years to answer the outstanding questions in the field. Ongoing support is needed to enact the vision outlined in the CVR and in doing so deliver better vaccines against SARS CoV-2.’
The roadmap aims to provide a structured and coordinated plan for future vaccines that are effective, long-lasting, and accessible globally to all people, protecting the health and economic stability worldwide. It energises and organises the science, policy, political and financial efforts that must work in concert to accelerate development of better vaccines.
The ultimate goal of the roadmap is to build on advances such as the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, the RECOVERY Trial, the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey, the NHS app, the COVID-19 Moonshot Consortium, which were delivered by researchers at the University of Oxford in record time during the pandemic. To counter future pandemic threats, the University of Oxford has launched the Pandemic Sciences Institute, a multi-disciplinary institute focused on reducing the risk from infectious threats and building global preparedness for future outbreaks, and actively collaborating on global projects such as the Coronavirus Vaccines Research and Development Roadmap to stop other new coronaviruses from causing pandemics in the future.
