Ghana first country to approve Oxford malaria vaccine in ‘significant milestone’
The Telegraph (4/13)
Additional coverage from BBC (4/12)
Last week, Ghana became the first country to approve a new malaria vaccine developed by the University of Oxford’s Jenner Institute. The vaccine, R21, is the second-ever vaccine for malaria authorized for use by regulators. Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority approved the shot for use in children between 5 and 36 months old based on final data from an ongoing phase 3 trial in almost 5,000 children. The results have yet to be published but were shared with regulatory agencies. The vaccine could become an important tool in the fight against malaria and in reducing child mortality, especially if Ghana’s approval is echoed in other countries and by the World Health Organization.
The African continent ramps up efforts to crack the code on outbreaks
Devex (4/13)
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the consequences of limited genome sequencing capabilities on the African continent and has pushed national laboratories to ramp up their ability in preparation for future pandemics. Thirty-nine African countries now have the equipment and skilled workforce for sequencing, as part of a continent-wide network with specialized training centers and regional hubs. However, capacity levels across laboratories vary, and there is a need to move beyond sequencing the virus that causes COVID-19 to broader applications and for increased training in data analysis.
White House launching $5 billion program to speed coronavirus vaccines
The Washington Post (4/10)
The Biden administration last week announced the launch of Project Next Gen, the US$5 billion-plus program that succeeds the President Trump-era Operation Warp Speed to accelerate the development of new coronavirus vaccines and treatments to address COVID-19 and future coronavirus threats. The program will primarily focus on three objectives: creating long-lasting monoclonal antibodies, advancing vaccines that produce mucosal immunity, and developing pan-coronavirus vaccines. Administration officials expressed their hope that the program can generate strong next-generation vaccines and treatments, delivering breakthroughs that could also potentially benefit other health R&D areas as well.
