Amid an outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in West Africa, the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India (SII) have entered into a $3.5 million agreement, supported by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), to establish the world’s largest reserve of Oxford’s investigation Rift Valley fever vaccine.
The development was announced in a statement released on Tuesday, against the backdrop of a deadly outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease in Senegal and Mauritania.
Under the agreement, SII will manufacture up to 100,000 doses of the University of Oxford’s investigational vaccine candidate, ChAdOx1 RVF.
An initial batch of 10,000 doses is expected to be used in a potential clinical trial to assess the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine in outbreak-affected areas. The remaining doses will be stored as an investigational reserve for use in future outbreaks to generate additional clinical evidence.
In a major milestone for rapid vaccine production, SII has already filled and labelled 12,000 vials of the ChAdOx1 RVF vaccine just 16 days after receiving the essential ingredients.
Dr Richard Hatchett, Chief Executive Officer of CEPI, said the collaboration reflected lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“COVID-19 powerfully showed us that we need to get ahead of fast-spreading viruses before they get ahead of us. This collaboration embodies that principle,” Hatchett said.
“Two of the world’s most distinguished vaccine institutes have worked together to mobilize and manufacture thousands of doses of a Rift Valley fever vaccine candidate in a matter of weeks.
“This is exactly the kind of speed and collaboration CEPI has been planning for, serving as a blueprint for the 100 Days Mission and how the global community can act swiftly to counter emerging threats.”
Dr Umesh Shaligram, Executive Director of the Serum Institute of India, said producing the doses at speed was crucial to ensuring timely access to vaccines during outbreaks.
“Producing these doses rapidly is a necessary step to ensure that vaccine candidates like ChAdOx1 RVF can be delivered when and where they are most needed,” he said.
“We have worked closely with CEPI and the University of Oxford to achieve this on an accelerated timeline, recognizing the urgency of the outbreak and the broader need for epidemic preparedness.”
Rift Valley fever primarily affects livestock, but humans can become infected through contact with infected animals or bites from infected mosquitoes. While most cases are mild, severe infections can lead to brain inflammation and severe bleeding, which may be fatal.
Beyond its health impact, the disease poses serious economic and social consequences, particularly for pastoral farmers, as outbreaks among animals can result in significant livestock losses and threaten livelihoods.
ChAdOx1 RVF is among the most advanced vaccine candidates currently under development to protect humans against Rift Valley fever.
Findings from new clinical trials could build on ongoing research in Kenya and bring the world closer to the first licensed human Rift Valley fever vaccine.
Prof George Warimwe, lead of the Rift Valley fever vaccine programme at the Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, described the disease as devastating yet often overlooked.
“Rift Valley fever is a devastating and often forgotten disease, affecting the lives and livelihoods of communities across Africa,” Warimwe said.
“This collaboration with the Serum Institute of India allows our research to move beyond the laboratory and towards real-world impact, with the potential to save lives.”
Matt Carpenter, Deputy Head of Licensing and Ventures for Life Sciences at Oxford University Innovation, said the partnership demonstrated how academic research could be translated into global health solutions.
“We are proud to have supported the University at this critical time, enabling swift action that led to the licensing arrangement of this vital vaccine with the Serum Institute of India,” he said.
“It is a strong example of how Oxford’s research can deliver meaningful global health impact during urgent outbreaks.”
Prof Thierno Baldé, Regional Incident Manager for the RVF Response Operation at the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, said Rift Valley fever outbreaks imposed severe health, social and economic burdens on affected communities.
“This collaboration shows how partners can come together during emergencies to generate evidence essential for protecting populations at risk,” he said.
Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall, Chief Executive Officer of the Institut Pasteur de Dakar in Senegal, said the current outbreak highlighted the urgent need for improved tools to protect vulnerable communities.
He stressed that having an investigational vaccine stockpile close to outbreak locations was critical for rapid clinical evaluation and effective response.
“At Institut Pasteur de Dakar, we see this as a clear example of how strong international collaboration can accelerate preparedness, support affected populations and move us closer to effective solutions against emerging epidemic threats,” Fall said.
According to available data, more than 610 cases of Rift Valley fever have been reported in Senegal and Mauritania, with at least 47 deaths recorded in the current outbreak.
