The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and The Pirbright Institute have announced a new collaboration to support the development of vaccines against henipaviruses.
Funded by the Medical Research Council, the aim of the research is to develop a vaccine that provides cross-protection against the whole genus, addressing outbreaks and improving epidemic preparedness.
Belonging to the genus of paramyxoviruses, henipaviruses consist of two identified zoonotic viruses, including the Hendra virus and the Nipah virus (NiV), causing severe and often fatal illness in humans and animals.
Currently listed on the World Health Organization’s priority pathogen list and with no licensed vaccines or treatments currently available, NiV can be transmitted to humans from animals, causing a range of symptoms such as respiratory illness and encephalitis.
An effective vaccine against the virus could provide protection to people in countries where the virus is endemic, including Bangladesh and India, and could potentially protect against imported cases.
UKHSA scientists will use a NiV model to mimic the infection in humans and evaluate vaccines developed by The Pirbright Institute to evaluate their protective effects.
If successful, the research will not only enhance pandemic preparedness against any potential threats or outbreaks but will also provide key insights into the effectiveness of pan-henipavirus vaccines while contributing to global efforts in the prevention of tropical diseases.
“Understanding whether vaccines for NiV or other henipaviruses can provide cross-protection against related viruses is a really important first step in the development of broadly acting vaccines,” said Dr Dalan Bailey, viral glycoproteins group leader and project lead, The Pirbright Institute.
Professor Isabel Oliver, chief scientific officer, UKHSA said: “This study will deepen our understanding of henipaviruses and make significant progress in our efforts to protect health from this current and future global health threat.”
The research would also contribute to the 100 Days Mission, launched in 2021 by the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat to improve global pandemic preparedness “by accelerating the development of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines,” explained Oliver.
In August last year, the UKHSA launched its Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre to research and develop vaccines against pathogens with pandemic potential, including avian influenza, mpox or hantavirus.