Standardisation and development of assays for assessment of influenza vaccine correlates of protection
The human influenza virus is the causative agent of one of the most important infectious diseases in the world, causing frequent (seasonal) epidemics as well as pandemics, both of which cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Influenza virus infects all age groups but children and adults over the age of 65 are most at risk of severe morbidity and mortality. Vaccination is recommended for these age groups. Vaccination remains the most effective method to control seasonal infections and the most important strategy to prepare for a possible pandemic. Despite the development and licensure of influenza vaccines along with clinical evidence of their ability to protect against influenza, the potential correlates of protection induced by these vaccines are still not fully elucidated
The availability of a tool-box of standardised, validated serological assays for human influenza vaccines, agreed and used by key parties in the private and in the public sector will have tremendous impact on the R&D process globally, and will pave the way for future investigation and definition of correlates of protection for these vaccines.
The FLUCOP project is supported by the Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking (IMI JU), with funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme.
The FLUCOP project started March 2015 with a five year duration ending February 2020. After two no-cost extensions of one year both, one extension due to the COVID-19 pandemia, approved by IMI now the project will end in February 2022. The total budget is of €13,999,164 with equal contribution from the IMI and European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA).
The FLUCOP project is supported by the Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking under grant agreement 115672, resources of which are composed of financial contribution from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP/2007-2013) and EFPIA companies’ in kind contribution.
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