TuBerculosis Vaccine Initiative (TBVI)

The TuBerculosis Vaccine Initiative (TBVI) is a non-profit foundation that facilitates the discovery and development of new, safe and effective TB vaccines that are accessible and affordable for all people.  As a Product Development Partnership (PDP), TBVI integrates, translates and prioritises R&D efforts to discover and develop new TB vaccines and biomarkers for global use. TBVI provides essential services that support the R&D efforts of its consortium partners – 50 partners from academia, research institutes and private industry in the TB vaccine field. These services include: 1. project identification, design and development; 2. project management; 3. resource mobilisation; 4. knowledge development, exchange and networking; 5. technical advice and support for product and clinical development. TBVI does not have its own commercial interests. Ownership of vaccine candidates and biomarkers, and any intellectual property rights remain with researchers and vaccine developers. Access and affordability of TB vaccines for the developing world is a statutory objective of TBVI and is a commitment that is part of each project grant agreement supported by TBVI. TBVI innovates and diversifies the pipeline for TB vaccines. It accelerates the most promising vaccine and biomarker candidates through the pipeline, applying portfolio management to support decision-making in an objective and transparent manner and to use the available financial resources effectively. It seeks to align its portfolio management approach with other global efforts, in particular with the portfolio management approach foreseen by the Global TB Vaccine Partnership (GTBVP). TBVI projects have delivered 6 vaccine candidates moving from discovery to the preclinical phase, and 4 vaccine candidates going to Phase I clinical trials. TBVI’s strategy in the coming four years is expected to result in support for 20 new discovery approaches, up to 6 candidates at preclinical stages and up to 6 candidates at early clinical stages. In addition, it will identify, optimise and evaluate 15 innovative approaches on biomarkers and TB.