The grant will support the development of a next-generation influenza vaccine in a large collaboration between public and private R&D organisations from the EU, India, and the United States. The INDIGO consortium plans to carry out the preclinical and clinical development of the project, which contains two novel influenza vaccine concepts, including the application of a novel potent adjuvant by LiteVax BV, the Netherlands (https://www.litevax.com/), as well as the use of the ExpreS[2] platform for antigen production by ExpreS[2]ion (https://expres2ionbio.com/). The aim is to create an influenza vaccine that meets the requirements of global vaccination, i.e. to achieve <10% instead of 60% non-responders, combined with a lower manufacturing cost and better accessibility.

ExpreS[2]ion's CEO Bent Frandsen comments:

"In these unprecedented times we must remember that even the widespread common flu carries an inherent risk of developing into a global pandemic. We appreciate the EU Horizon 2020 grant to work closely within this EU-India-US consortium with the goal to deliver a next-generation flu vaccine that addresses a worldwide medical need."

In addition to ExpreS[2]ion, the INDIGO consortium consists of two Belgian partners, two French partners, two Dutch partners, one US partner, and six Indian partners. See https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/874653 for more information. The INDIGO consortium's work plan is affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic, which means that initial development work is expected to be deferred by a 4-5 months' time frame from the initial planned starting date of April 1 2020.    

Influenza

According to WHO (https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/11-03-2019-who-launches-new-global-influenza-strategy), influenza is a serious global health threat that impacts all countries: every year, there are an estimated 1 billion cases, 3-5 million severe cases, and 290 000 - 650 000 influenza-related respiratory deaths worldwide. Serious illness occurs not only in susceptible populations such as paediatrics and older adults, but also in the general population largely because of unique strains of influenza for which most humans have not developed protective antibodies. According to Allied Market Research (https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/influenza-vaccines-market), the global influenza vaccine market size was valued at 4.0 BUSD in 2018, and is projected to reach 6.2 BUSD by 2026.

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