Gennova Biopharmaceuticals expands CEPI partnership for Nipah virus saRNA vaccine development

Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, is developing a self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) vaccine for the Nipah virus. The project is backed by an expanded partnership with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which has committed up to $13.38 million in funding.

Gennova will collaborate with Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), a CEPI partner based in the United States, to integrate artificial intelligence in optimising viral protein properties. These optimised proteins will be studied in laboratory and clinical settings as potential vaccine targets.

Nipah virus belongs to the Paramyxovirus family and is considered one of the deadliest pathogens known to infect humans. Outbreaks have primarily occurred in South and Southeast Asia, but its fruit-bat vector is found across a wide geographical region, affecting a population of over two billion people.

Dr Kent Kester, Executive Director of Vaccine Research and Development at CEPI, said, “With no vaccines or specific therapeutics approved for human use against Nipah, CEPI is leading the charge to protect the world against this deadly virus committing over US$100 million to its Nipah programmes and advancing the first ever Nipah vaccine candidates into Phase 1 studies and through to completion. Gennova’s work will not only help establish the suitability of the saRNA platform for use against Nipah but also its suitability as part of a wider group of RNA technologies that could enable rapid responses to future Disease X threats, potentially within 100 days of identification.”

mRNA vaccines use the body’s own mechanisms to produce antigenic proteins instead of delivering the antigen directly. The saRNA platform enhances this process by instructing cells to replicate mRNA, potentially triggering a stronger immune response with lower doses compared to existing mRNA vaccines.

CEPI initially granted Gennova up to $3.6 million in August 2023 to optimise its saRNA platform for developing vaccine candidates against emerging threats, including Disease X. The funding was part of CEPI’s broader initiative to support RNA vaccine platform technologies for infectious diseases. These technologies offer potential advantages in multivalency, immunogenicity, stability, productivity, response time, and cost efficiency.

Dr Sanjay Singh, CEO of Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, said, “By harnessing the cutting-edge capabilities of our saRNA platform, we are committed to developing a revolutionary next-generation vaccine. This partnership not only sets a new standard for the rapid development of mRNA vaccines but also ensures equitable access and strengthens global health security.”

CEPI aims to ensure equitable access to the vaccines it funds. Gennova has committed to making the vaccine available first to at-risk populations at an affordable price, in line with CEPI’s Equitable Access Policy. The agreement also includes provisions for technology transfer and future vaccine development collaborations.