9 July 2025 — The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and Vaccinopolis, operated by the Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination (CEV) at the University of Antwerp, Belgium, formalized a collaborative partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

Both partners share a common goal of strengthening global health through high-quality clinical research in the field of infectious diseases, capacity-building, and the exchange of technical expertise and technologies. Together, IVI and Vaccinopolis aim to pursue joint vaccine research and development projects as well as training and other knowledge-sharing activities.

Dr. Anh Wartel, Deputy Director General of IVI’s Europe Regional Office, said: “This partnership with Vaccinopolis reflects IVI’s commitment to advancing vaccine science through collaborative clinical research. By combining our complementary expertise in epidemiology, translational clinical research, and capacity-building, we aim to accelerate the development of safe, effective, and affordable vaccines that serve global health for everyone, everywhere.”

CEV was founded by Prof. Dr. Pierre Van Damme in 1994, focusing on the assessment of new and improved vaccines, the epidemiology of vaccine-preventable infections, and research related to vaccine confidence, communication, and education. In 2022, the CEV moved to the new and unique infrastructure Vaccinopolis, which allows the conduct of BSL-2 and BSL-3 human challenge trials (in 30 individual negative-pressure rooms).

IVI is an international organization dedicated to advancing vaccine discovery, development, and delivery, particularly for vulnerable communities. Through research, partnerships, and innovation, IVI enhances global health, strengthens pandemic preparedness, and ensures equitable access to life-saving vaccines worldwide.

In May 2025, IVI presented the IVI-SK bioscience Park MahnHoon Award to Prof. Van Damme and his colleague, Dr. Ananda Sankar Bandyopadhyay, for their remarkable contributions to the development and implementation of a novel oral polio vaccine.