The trial is being led by the Oxford Vaccine Group within the Department for Paediatrics at the University of Oxford, and funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
Lassa fever is caused by the Lassa virus, which is primarily spread by rodents and can result in serious illness, severe bleeding and even death. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified Lassa fever as a priority pathogen in urgent need of research and development because it poses a significant public health risk due to its epidemic potential.
Experts estimate that up to 600 million people could live in regions at risk of Lassa fever by 2050, although there are currently no licensed vaccines or treatments for Lassa fever.
Professor Maheshi Ramasamy, Professor of Infection and Vaccinology at the Oxford Vaccine Group, and Chief Investigator of the VITAL01 trial, said: “We are thrilled to begin the VITAL01 trial, which marks a crucial milestone in the development of a vaccine against Lassa fever. By evaluating the safety and immune response of this vaccine in healthy volunteers here in the UK, we are laying the groundwork for future trials in endemic regions. Our team at the Oxford Vaccine Group is proud to advance global health through innovative and equitable vaccine development.”
Dr Katrin Ramsaeur, Lassa fever Disease Programme Lead at CEPI, funders of the trial, said: “The world has long been aware of the dangers of Lassa fever – the virus has taken precious lives and those that survive can suffer long-term health implications like hearing loss. Alongside researchers in West Africa and around the world, the University of Oxford are taking action, working at pace to get us one step closer to the promise of protection. This first-in-human trial will both provide important data to inform the vaccine candidate’s future development and could also aid how we tackle related viruses.”
Another Phase I trial assessing the ChAdOx1 vaccine is planned to launch in Ghana in 2026.
The vaccine candidate was designed by Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, Pandemic Sciences Institute, and uses the same ChAdOx1 technology behind the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine developed by the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca rolled out during the pandemic, estimated to have saved over six million lives during 2021 alone.
In addition to the launch of new clinical trials, efforts to advance a Lassa vaccine to licensure are progressing through regional leadership and coordination by the Lassa fever Coalition. The consortium led by the West African Health Organization (WAHO) is made up of West African leaders and public health experts working with vaccine partners to accelerate the development and future equitable introduction of Lassa fever vaccines across the affected region.
For more information about the ViTaL01 study, please visit the study website.