At the end of 2024, we reflect on the milestones and accomplishments from across the institute that made this year particularly memorable. We dedicate this 2024 Year in Review to our collaborators and partners around the world whose support makes our work possible.

We are pleased to share 12 highlights from IVI, which include two new vaccines prequalified by the World Health Organization for use in global public health settings; new work on IVI’s “Vaccine #4,” a vaccine against K. pneumoniae, the leading cause of neonatal deaths globally due to sepsis; the start of a multi-country initiative to advance research capacity in West Africa; new state parties (Austria, El Salvador, and Kenya); expanded offices worldwide, from the official opening of the IVI Europe Regional Office permanent location to the signing of a Host Country Agreement with the Government of Rwanda; and more.

IVI’s key milestones in 2024

1. Two vaccines prequalified by the World Health Organization

In February, SK bioscience’s typhoid conjugate vaccine with technology transfer from IVI achieved WHO prequalification, paving the way for UN organizations’ vaccine public procurement. In April, Euvichol-S, an improved oral cholera vaccine (OCV) developed jointly by EuBiologics and IVI, also secured WHO prequalification, adding another vaccine for public health use during a dire global shortage of OCV and unprecedented spikes in outbreaks of cholera.

2. Began work on IVI’s “Vaccine #4,” a vaccine candidate for Klebsiella pneumoniae

IVI has successfully developed two vaccines: an oral cholera vaccine and a typhoid conjugate vaccine. A third vaccine targeting invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella is soon entering clinical research. With such progress, IVI is investing in a fourth vaccine against K. pneumoniae, the leading cause of neonatal deaths globally due to sepsis and the number one cause of AMR-associated mortality.

3. Held Global Council meeting in Bangkok and called for the inclusion of Leptospirosis on the WHO’s list of Neglected Tropical Diseases

The Government of Thailand, currently assuming the presidency of IVI’s Global Council, convened the advisory body of state parties in Bangkok for the annual face-to-face meeting. IVI and Thailand brought to the council’s attention the global health importance of Leptospirosis and an action plan forward to designate the public health concern as an official WHO Neglected Tropical Disease.

4. Formed a global research consortium supported by CEPI to develop a broadly protective coronavirus vaccine

IVI is leading an international consortium of researchers to develop a vaccine using what we know about existing COVID-19 variants and how they function to potentially protect against future mutations and even other deadly coronaviruses such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and SARS-1.

5. Initiated a multi-country, multisectoral initiative to advance research capacity in West Africa (ARC-WA)

IVI and the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia (MRCG) at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine are working to ensure the West African sub-region is equipped to deal with the threat of endemic diseases including Lassa fever, and both known and unknown outbreak diseases. The ARC-WA project that aims to prepare clinical trial sites for future Lassa fever vaccine trials and to develop regional strategies for outbreak preparedness is supported by CEPI.

6. Hosted side events at the 37th African Union Summit and 77th World Health Assembly

IVI, the Government of Kenya, and Africa CDC hosted an event on the sidelines of the 37th African Union Summit on the topic of sustainable vaccine manufacturing through end-to-end vaccine research and development projects in Africa. At the World Health Assembly, IVI and co-sponsoring countries Bhutan, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Republic of Korea, Sweden, and the UK hosted a side event on the role of existing and new vaccines in curbing the emergence and spread of drug resistance in low- and middle-income countries.

7. New State Parties: Austria, El Salvador, Kenya

In 2024, IVI welcomed three new State Parties to its member base: Austria, which provides core funding and supports an IVI Country Office, El Salvador, and Kenya, which will also host an IVI Country Office in addition to the Advancing Vaccine End-to-End Capabilities in Africa (AVEC Africa) Project Office. We also received letters of intent from Ghana, Ethiopia, Uruguay, France, Canada, and Mozambique to join IVI, beginning the accession process.

8. Launched a project to develop a universal vaccine against Group A Streptococcus (GAS)

This project aims to identify the optimal GAS conjugate vaccine candidate through efficacy studies using three approaches: 1) a recombinant glycoconjugate method, 2) a traditional chemical conjugation route, and 3) a hybrid approach.

9. Successfully completed Phase 1b clinical trial of a vaccine against schistosomiasis in Madagascar

IVI is leading the development of a safe and effective schistosomiasis vaccine while also addressing research gaps in the epidemiological, economic, and immunological aspects of the disease in Africa. Core components of the Vaccine against Schistosomiasis for Africa (VASA) project include a Phase 1b clinical trial in Madagascar and Burkina Faso.

10. Expanded new offices: Europe Regional Office permanent office, Africa Regional Office in Kigali, Kenya Country and AVEC Africa Project Office, and Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute (HKJC-GHI)

In May, IVI cut the ribbon at the permanent location of its Europe Regional Office in Stockholm, Sweden, during a ceremony with Ministry for Foreign Affairs officials. In Kigali, we signed a Host Country Agreement with the Government of Rwanda to operationalize IVI’s Africa Regional Office, and in Nairobi, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Kenya to establish an IVI Country Office and the Advancing Vaccine End-to-End Capabilities in Africa (AVEC Africa) Office. In Asia, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute (HKJC-GHI) advanced its collaboration with IVI’s founding partners, Hong Kong University and the University of Cambridge.

11. Hosted the first triple-site edition of the International Vaccinology Course and completed the GTH-B courses for the third-year running

IVI’s flagship International Vaccinology Course was offered at three sites this year—Seoul, Stockholm, and Kigali—with a theme of “Vaccine to Vaccination: from Science to Society.” A total of 186 trainees representing 39 different nationalities participated in the five-day intensive course worldwide. The 2024 Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing (GTH-B) programming has trained 338 vaccine professionals to build a skilled and experienced vaccine manufacturing workforce in low- and middle-income countries.

12. Presented the 2024 IVI-SK bioscience Park MahnHoon Award and IVI Founders Medal to leaders in vaccine science and industry

Prof. Jan Holmgren and Profs. Barney Graham and Jason McLellan received the 2024 Park MahnHoon Award for their extraordinary contributions to advancing vaccine science to prevent pandemics. On the occasion of IVI’s 27th anniversary, Dr. Frank Hartvelt and Prof. Sang Chul Park received the IVI Founders Medal in recognition of their contributions to IVI’s founding and continued growth.