3 September 2026 — Building on an established relationship between the two institutions, the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and Karolinska Institutet (KI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand opportunities for academic and scientific exchange within vaccine research.

The agreement provides a framework for further cooperation, including student and academic exchanges, joint scientific activities, as well as training and capacity-building initiatives.

The signing was marked with a ceremony at KI’s Campus in Flemingberg, Stockholm, on 2 September 2026 attended by Dr. Anh Wartel, IVI Deputy Director General and Regional Director of the Europe Regional Office, Dr. Martin Bergö, Vice President of Karolinska Institutet, and Professor Anna Norrby-Teglund, Head of Unit at KI’s Center for Infectious Medicine.

Dr. Anh Wartel said: “We have already seen the value of bringing our institutions and expertise together, and we are pleased to be deepening the partnership to advance joint vaccine research and education, and develop new initiatives that translate scientific advances into meaningful impact for global health.”

Professor Martin Bergö said: “At Karolinska Institutet, we believe that cooperation is essential for developing and deploying vaccines in the future, and this partnership is vital for our ambition to achieve better health for everyone.”

Professor Anna Norrby-Teglund added: “As both a researcher and supervisor in this collaboration, I have seen the value of bringing together expertise from IVI and Karolinska Institutet. The partnership strengthens our research and educational missions in infectious diseases, immunology, vaccine development, and global health, while providing outstanding opportunities for the next generation of scientists.”

The partnership between the two institutions dates back to the establishment of IVI’s Europe Regional Office in 2022 at the Karolinska Institutet campus in Solna, Stockholm, with support from the Government of Sweden.

Dr. Karin Tegmark Wisell, Ambassador for Global Health, Sweden, said: “Sweden has a strong tradition of bringing together world-class research, innovation and global health expertise and the close relationship between IVI and Karolinska Institutet is a valuable example of this, strengthening Sweden’s contribution to global health. Together with a strong private sector and a vibrant Swedish life science ecosystem, such partnerships help transform scientific discoveries into products and solutions that improve health outcomes worldwide.”

Advancing vaccine research today and tomorrow

IVI and KI are jointly involved in several vaccine research projects, including the Global Burden Estimation of Human Papillomavirus (GLOBE-HPV) study, a multi-country initiative generating data on HPV prevalence among girls and women in low- and middle-income countries across South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

HPV causes nearly all cases of cervical cancer, the fourth most common cancer among women globally and the project also examines knowledge, attitudes, gender-related factors, and other barriers affecting HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment.

The partnership is also exploring new approaches to HPV vaccine delivery, including innovative strategies to expand access to vaccination through existing childhood immunization systems.

Training the next generation of vaccine experts

Education and training are important areas of cooperation, with the International Vaccinology Course serving as a prominent example. Delivered by IVI in collaboration with KI in Stockholm since 2022, the course brings together researchers, health professionals, and students from around the world to explore the full vaccine development pathway, from vaccine science and clinical development through regulation, manufacturing, and delivery.

The course has also become part of KI’s doctoral education, providing students with access to international expertise in vaccinology and fostering connections between KI specialists and vaccine experts from around the world.

A close presence in Stockholm

IVI’s Europe Regional Office was established to strengthen the institute’s engagement with European partners and contribute to the region’s vaccine research, development, and global health ecosystem.

Its proximity to Karolinska Institutet places the IVI Europe Regional Office at the heart of Sweden’s research and innovation environment, while connecting it to European institutions, governments, and industry. This close connection creates opportunities for IVI and KI to advance vaccine research together, foster knowledge exchange, and translate innovation into meaningful global health impact.

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About the International Vaccine Institute
The International Vaccine Institute is an international organization dedicated to advancing vaccine discovery, development, and delivery—especially for vulnerable communities. Through research, partnerships, and innovation, IVI enhances global health, strengthens pandemic preparedness, and promotes equitable access to life-saving vaccines worldwide. For more information, visit www.ivi.int.

About Karolinska Institutet
Karolinska Institutet is one of the world’s leading medical universities. Its vision is to advance knowledge about life and strive toward better health for all. Karolinska Institutet accounts for the single largest share of all academic medical research conducted in Sweden and offers the country’s broadest range of education in medicine and health sciences. The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet selects the Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine. For more information, visit www.ki.se