With support from the epidemic preparedness organisation Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Serum Institute of India (SII) has entered into a licensing arrangement with the University of Oxford to create the largest-ever reserve of an investigational Rift Valley fever vaccine ready for testing. The collaboration comes amid a deadly outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease in Senegal and Mauritania.

Under the agreement, SII will manufacture up to 100,000 doses of the University of Oxford’s investigational vaccine candidate, ChAdOx1 RVF. An initial 10,000 doses are planned to be used in a potential upcoming clinical trial assessing the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine candidate in outbreak-affected areas. The remaining doses will be stored as an investigational reserve available for clinical testing to generate further evidence in future outbreaks.

In a major milestone for rapid vaccine production, SII has already filled and labelled 12,000 vials of the ChAdOx1 RVF vaccine just 16 days after receiving the essential ingredients.

This collaboration is a joint effort among CEPI, SII and University of Oxford. SII is one of CEPI’s preferred vaccine manufacturing collaborators and CEPI and Oxford hold a strategic partnership, with CEPI already supporting the development of ChAdOx1 RVF and other vaccines. As part of this agreement, CEPI is providing up to USD 3.5 million to develop and manufacture the doses and create the vaccine reserve.

Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO, (CEPI), said, "COVID-19 powerfully showed us that we need to get ahead of fast-spreading viruses before they get ahead of us. This collaboration embodies that principle. Two of the world’s most distinguished vaccine institutes have worked together to mobilise and manufacture thousands of doses of a Rift Valley fever’s vaccine candidate in a matter of weeks. This is exactly the kind of speed and collaboration CEPI has been planning for–serving as a blueprint for the 100 Days Mission and how others can act swiftly to counter emerging threats."

Rift Valley fever mainly affects livestock. However, people have fallen ill in Africa and the Middle East after coming into contact with infected animals or being bitten by infected mosquitoes. While most cases are mild, severe infections can cause brain inflammation and severe bleeding which can prove fatal. Beyond the direct health consequences, Rift Valley fever can severely impact the wellbeing and livelihoods of pastoral farmers in affected regions, as infections in animals can lead to devastating livestock and economic losses.

"Producing these doses at speed is a necessary step to ensure that vaccine candidates like ChAdOx1 RVF can be delivered when and where they’re most needed. We’ve worked closely with CEPI and the University of Oxford to make this possible on an accelerated timeline, recognising the urgency of the outbreak and the broader need for epidemic preparedness," shared Dr Umesh Shaligram, Executive Director, Serum Institute of India.

ChAdOx1 RVF is among the most advanced vaccine candidates being developed to protect people against Rift Valley fever. Findings from a new vaccine trial could add to clinical research already taking place on ChAdOx1 RVF in Kenya and bring the world closer to the first licensed human Rift Valley fever vaccine.

Professor George Warimwe, lead of the Rift Valley fever vaccine programme, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, said, "Rift Valley fever is a devastating and often forgotten disease, affecting the lives and livelihoods of communities in many parts of Africa. It means a great deal to know that our research can now move beyond the lab and towards helping people directly. This collaboration with the Serum Institute of India makes that possible - turning years of scientific effort into something with real potential to save lives."

In the latest outbreak, over 610 cases of Rift Valley fever have now been reported in Senegal and Mauritania with 47 deaths.