The ACT-CHIK project, a new four-year initiative funded by €15.3 million from the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking, aims to advance clinical trials for the MV-CHIK vaccine in Africa. Coordinated by the Institut Pasteur, the project seeks to address the growing public health threat of the chikungunya virus by supporting local vaccine production and equitable access across the continent.
How is the ACT-CHIK project addressing the chikungunya threat?
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, causing debilitating symptoms like high fever and severe joint pain that can persist for years. According to the Institut Pasteur, the ACT-CHIK project is launching a large-scale Phase Ib/III clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the MV-CHIK vaccine. This vaccine, which uses a measles-virus-based platform, will be tested in 940 participants across Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal. The project is designed to generate essential clinical data for African populations, including younger age groups, while preparing for the technology transfer of the manufacturing process to the Institut Pasteur de Dakar.
Why is local manufacturing critical for vaccine equity?
While chikungunya vaccines have recently become available, their deployment in endemic regions has been hindered by high costs and limited access, as noted by the Institut Pasteur. By focusing on technology transfer to the Institut Pasteur de Dakar—Africa’s only WHO-prequalified vaccine manufacturer—the ACT-CHIK consortium aims to establish a sustainable model for production. Sotiris Missailidis, DPhil, ACT-CHIK project coordinator at Institut Pasteur, states that the initiative represents a “unique opportunity to generate critical clinical data in the populations that need this vaccine most, while simultaneously building the foundation for regional vaccine manufacturing on the continent.”
What is the scientific basis for the MV-CHIK vaccine?
The MV-CHIK vaccine is a live-attenuated, recombinant vaccine. It utilizes the well-established measles virus Schwarz vaccine strain as a vector, a platform technology originally developed at the Institut Pasteur in Paris. Previous research, including six Phase I and II clinical trials in Europe, the United States, and Puerto Rico involving approximately 600 adult participants, has demonstrated satisfactory safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity profiles. These results provide the foundation for the current Phase Ib/III multicenter trial.
When evaluating vaccine rollout, look for the integration of local regulatory pathways. The ACT-CHIK project is working directly with national regulatory authorities and the World Health Organization to secure licensure, which is essential for long-term health infrastructure stability.
Collaborative efforts in the ACT-CHIK consortium
Success in clinical development requires diverse expertise. The project brings together seven partner institutions: the Institut Pasteur (France), University of Rwanda (Rwanda), Institut Pasteur de Dakar (Senegal), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Brazil), Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (Nigeria), Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kenya), and the International Vaccine Institute (South Korea). Ibrahima Socé Fall, PhD, CEO of Institut Pasteur de Dakar, emphasizes that the project embodies a vision for “an Africa that develops, evaluates, and produces its own vaccines—for the populations that need them most.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of the ACT-CHIK project?
The primary goal is to advance the clinical development of the MV-CHIK vaccine through Phase Ib/III trials in Africa and prepare for technology transfer to an African vaccine manufacturer.
Which countries are participating in the clinical trials?
The clinical trials will take place in Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal.
How is the project funded?
The project is funded by the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon Europe program, with a total investment of €15.3 million.
Is the MV-CHIK vaccine new?
The vaccine uses a proven measles-virus-based platform technology developed at the Institut Pasteur, with six previous clinical trials confirming its safety and immunogenicity in approximately 600 adults.
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