National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 1R41AI195180-01

Broad-spectrum, multivalent platform for pan-influenza vaccine

VIVA Viral Vaccines received funding to develop a broad-spectrum influenza vaccine platform targeting the conserved neuraminidase protein, aiming to improve protection against seasonal and pandemic influenza strains through multivalent virus-like particles.

Description

VIVA Viral Vaccines is developing a vaccine platform that leverages multiple innovations to meet key requirements for the rapid development and deployment of highly protective, broad-spectrum, distribution-enabled vaccines against seasonal and pandemic viral threats. Influenza remains a significant public health concern, causing approximately 1 billion infections and 650,000 deaths globally each year. Current vaccines are only 10-60% effective and do not protect against heterologous strains or emerging pandemic strains. VIVA’s approach targets the influenza neuraminidase (NA) protein, which is highly conserved within serotypes and can provide broad heterologous immunity. The platform involves producing multivalent virus-like particles (VLPs) in mammalian cells containing NA serotypes found in seasonal human influenza A strains. These VLPs mimic viral particles, enhancing immune response. The project aims to produce multivalent VSVs in mammalian cells, evaluate their quality, and test their efficacy in mice and ferrets against influenza strains. Endpoints include weight loss, survival, antibody titers, lung viral loads, and lung pathology.

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