The Sabin Vaccine Institute has expanded its clinical trial for an investigational Marburg virus vaccine in Rwanda, increasing the number of participants to include mine workers at risk of exposure. The expanded trial aims to assess the vaccine’s safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy. This initiative comes amidst a large-scale Marburg outbreak in Rwanda, where over 1,500 frontline workers have already been vaccinated with the Sabin vaccine.
GSK’s Arexvy RSV vaccine, currently approved for adults 60 and older, shows positive preliminary data in adults aged 18-49 at increased risk for respiratory illness, potentially broadening its reach to a larger population. This development comes as both GSK and Pfizer face declining sales due to narrow age recommendations for their RSV vaccines.
Novavax Inc. (NVAX) has received European marketing authorization for its updated Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine, targeting the JN.1 variant and providing protection against several other variants. This approval marks a significant milestone for the company, although the vaccine hasn’t yet received full FDA approval in the US.
Evaxion Biotech A/S has entered into an option and licensing agreement with pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co., Inc. for two preclinical vaccine candidates. The deal includes an upfront payment of $3.2 million and potential milestone payments of up to $592 million per product. The collaboration underscores the potential of Evaxion’s AI-Immunology platform and its vaccine candidates.
Gavi, the vaccine alliance, is utilizing lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to respond swiftly to the ongoing mpox outbreak. Drawing from the $500 million First Response Fund, Gavi is providing Africa with 500,000 doses of the MVA-BN mpox vaccine, aiming to address the needs of the continent, though significant gaps in supply remain.
GSK has announced positive results from a phase 3 trial showing that its RSV vaccine, Arexvy, can be safely and effectively co-administered with the shingles vaccine, Shingrix, in adults aged 50 and older. This offers a convenient option for seniors seeking protection against both respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and shingles.
Moderna’s stock price is climbing after Health Canada approved its updated COVID-19 vaccine, SPIKEVAX, targeting the KP.2 variant. The approval comes as COVID-19 infections are on the rise, highlighting the importance of staying up-to-date with vaccinations.
The UK government has secured 150,000 doses of the mpox vaccine from Bavarian Nordic to strengthen its defenses against the virus, prioritizing individuals at higher risk of exposure. The move comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global health emergency, with a significant surge in cases, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) received its first shipment of mpox vaccines, marking a significant step in combating the ongoing outbreak. The delay in vaccine delivery highlights the persistent issue of vaccine access disparities in low- and middle-income countries, mirroring the challenges encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved Moderna’s updated COVID-19 vaccine targeting the Omicron variant. The vaccine will be available through the NHS autumn vaccination program and privately for those not eligible. This follows similar approvals in Taiwan and the US for updated COVID-19 vaccines.
