Accelerating Vaccine Development Through Technological Innovations

Recently, I was a part of a G-20 co-branded event: “Global Vaccine Research Collaborative (GVRC) - Building consensus for future health emergencies prevention, preparedness and response” organized by The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India in collaboration with PATH and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) in Hyderabad. The event brought together participants from G20 member states, invited countries, international organizations, and vaccine manufacturers, and served as a platform to commence discussions on ways to strengthen collaborative and cooperative efforts in vaccine research and accelerate vaccine development. The enlightening discussions made me wonder about the promising role technological advancements can play in accelerating vaccine development.

Technology has transformed the landscape of vaccine development, enabling unprecedented speed and efficiency

The world witnessed an unprecedented race against time in the development of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the urgent need to curb the spread of the virus, technology played a pivotal role in expediting vaccine research and development. Innovative technologies not only accelerated the process but also paved the way for the creation of highly effective and safe vaccines. By leveraging cutting-edge tools and techniques, scientists and researchers expedited the discovery, design, and production of vaccines, allowing for timely interventions to combat the pandemic.

With the integration of technology into vaccine development, we are witnessing a paradigm shift in our ability to respond to infectious diseases. The once lengthy timeline for vaccine development is being compressed, enabling timely interventions during outbreaks and pandemics. By leveraging the synergy between technological advancements and scientific expertise, we are better equipped to protect global populations from existing and emerging infectious threats.

By harnessing the power of innovative approaches, scientists can rapidly identify vaccine targets, optimize formulations, predict efficacy, and adapt vaccines to address emerging variants.

The potential of Platform-based vaccines

Platform-based vaccines (such as DNA-, RNA- and viral vector-based vaccines) often called the “plug and play” vaccines, can be developed/adapted in a relatively shorter time frame and modified as demonstrated during the recent pandemic. These technologies, especially mRNA which is catching up quickly have the potential to respond immediately to some emerging pathogens (such as new viruses), especially during pandemic times.

Though these technologies may not work well for all pathogens especially bacterial and also extreme temperature-controlled storage requirements, especially for mRNA vaccines, the potential is huge. Nanoparticle platform or Vaccine Like Particles (VLPs) is another important platform seeing a lot of advances.

There are many technological advancements that are contributing to accelerating vaccine development. A few notable examples are:

1. Vaccine adjuvant development:

Adjuvants are vaccine components that enhance the magnitude, breadth and durability of the immune response to vaccines. Adjuvants have been in use since 1920 and aluminum (ALUM) remained the only adjuvant licensed for human use till the 1990s since safety has always been a great concern in the process of developing novel vaccine adjuvants.

Some of the later day and ongoing adjuvant advancements include emulsion-based vaccine adjuvants like MF59, AS03 (Influenza), Liposome based adjuvants like Virosome (Influenza, Hep.A), AS01 developed by GSK (RTS,S Malaria), soluble TLR9 ligand based adjuvant CpG developed by Dynavax widely used in COVID19 vaccines and most recently very promising protein-based nanoparticle technology adjuvant called Matrix-M developed by Novovax being used in COVID19 and Malaria vaccines. The advances in vaccine adjuvant technology will go a long way in meeting the ultimate objective of immunization by providing effective, affordable, and long-lasting protection against various infectious diseases.  

2. Vaccine delivery technologies:

Although the currently available vaccine delivery methods represent an outstanding success story and have had a telling effect on public health outcomes worldwide, improvements are needed. The addition of novel injectable adjuvants or the use of novel routes of delivery, including mucosal immunization, microarray patches (MAP), needle-free delivery devices, etc. can improve compliance and ease of administration for existing vaccines. These technologies are still evolving and will hopefully become more cost-effective and accessible in the near future. 

3. Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS):

Next-Generation Sequencing has revolutionized the field of genomics and has had a profound impact on vaccine development. NGS allows researchers to rapidly sequence the entire genetic material (genome) of pathogens, facilitating a deeper understanding of their biology and aiding the identification of potential vaccine targets. For instance, NGS played a crucial role in the development of the COVID-19 vaccines by enabling the rapid sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and tracking its variants.  

4. High-Throughput Screening (HTS):

HTS enables the rapid screening of thousands of compounds to identify potential vaccine candidates or small molecules that can aid in the development of new vaccines. This technology streamlines the process of identifying promising candidates for further evaluation. HTS allows scientists to quickly test large libraries of compounds or antigens to identify those that elicit a desired immune response. Advanced robotic systems, coupled with automation and miniaturization, enable the screening of thousands of samples simultaneously. This expedites the discovery of lead compounds, saving valuable time during the vaccine development process. This technology has been utilized to screen for vaccine candidates against various infectious diseases, including malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis.  

5. Structural Biology:

Advances in structural biology, including cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography, have provided detailed insights into the three-dimensional structure of pathogens and their interaction with the immune system. This knowledge aids in the design of vaccines that elicit targeted immune responses. For example, structural biology techniques have contributed to the development of vaccines against viruses like influenza, HIV, and Zika.

6. Computational Modeling:

Computational modeling plays a vital role in vaccine design and optimization. Through computer simulations, scientists can predict the structure and behavior of viral proteins, assess potential vaccine efficacy, and optimize vaccine formulations. Computational modeling has been applied to vaccine development for diseases like COVID-19, dengue fever, and Ebola, aiding in the identification of potential vaccine targets and optimization of immunization strategies.

7. Artificial Intelligence (AI):

AI technologies, including machine learning (ML) and data analytics, have been utilized in vaccine development to analyze large datasets, identify patterns, and make predictions. These technologies can analyze vast amounts of data, including viral genomics, proteomics, and clinical trial data, to identify potential vaccine candidates. AI-powered algorithms help predict vaccine efficacy, model immune responses, and aid in the design of optimal vaccine formulations. ML algorithms also facilitate the identification of potential adverse events, leading to safer vaccines. AI has been employed in the development of vaccines for diseases like COVID-19, malaria, and influenza. 

Breakthroughs in the future

Technological advancements have not only accelerated the response to the COVID-19 pandemic but also hold tremendous promise for future vaccine development against a wide range of infectious diseases. As technology continues to advance, we can expect even greater breakthroughs in the quest for faster and more effective vaccines to safeguard global health. Appropriate investments into creation/strengthening of vaccine development eco-system and facilitating effective research collaborations as envisaged under the GVRC platform will go a long way in significantly reducing vaccine development costs and timelines.