A strategic model for developing vaccines against neglected diseases: An example of industry collaboration for sustainable development

Infectious diseases continue to disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and children aged <5 y. Developing vaccines against diseases endemic in LMICs relies mainly on strong public-private collaborations, but several challenges remain. We review the operating model of the GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), which aims to address these challenges. The model involves i) selection of vaccine targets based on priority ranking for impact on global health; ii) development from design to clinical proof-of-concept; iii) transfer to an industrial partner, for further technical/clinical development, licensing, manufacturing, and distribution. Cost and risks associated with pre-clinical and early clinical development are assumed by GVGH, increasing the probability to make the vaccine more affordable in LMICs. A conjugate vaccine against typhoid fever, Vi-CRM(197), has recently obtained WHO prequalification, within a year from licensure in India, demonstrating the success of the GVGH model for development and delivery of global health vaccines.