In just 3 years, the Influenza Vaccines Research and Development (R&D) Roadmap Initiative has demonstrated important advancements in vaccine R&D, accomplishing 14% of its high-priority research goals and making progress on another 83%, the group reports in Vaccine.
While noting barriers in areas such as immunology and vaccinology, the project team outlines achievements in the pursuit of better vaccines against both seasonal flu and strains with pandemic potential— both critical for protecting the nation and the world from flu-related death and disability.
Coordinated approach to vaccine development
Created through a partnership of more than 100 experts from 29 countries and the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), the roadmap, or IVR, was published in 2021 to inform a clear and structured approach to influenza vaccine R&D. The Global Funders Consortium for Universal Influenza Vaccine Development recommended development of the roadmap, and Wellcome Trust funded it.
Researchers, developers, industry, and funders use the roadmap as a strategic planning tool to advance influenza vaccine R&D, inform decision-making on research priorities and funding, identify knowledge gaps in basic and applied research, reduce duplication, and increase efficiency.
