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Serum Institute of India (SII)
In the latest outbreak, more than 610 cases of Rift Valley fever have been reported in Senegal and Mauritania, with 47 reported deaths. The mosquito-borne viral disease primarily affects livestock but can also cause serious illness in people, particularly through contact with infected animals or mosquito bites. While many infections are mild, severe cases can result in brain inflammation and bleeding and can be fatal. Outbreaks have significant economic consequences for pastoral communities, where infection in animals can lead to major livestock and income losses.
The licensing agreement covers ChAdOx1 RVF, a vaccine candidate developed by researchers in the Nuffield Department of Medicine at the University of Oxford. The agreement, supported by the epidemic preparedness organisation CEPI and Oxford University Innovation, allows SII to manufacture up to 100,000 doses of the investigational vaccine for use in clinical studies during the current outbreak and in future emergencies.
An initial 10,000 doses are intended for a potential clinical trial to assess the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine in outbreak-affected areas. The remaining doses will be held as an investigational reserve to support further clinical testing.
Read the full story on the Nuffield Department of Medicine website.