Credit: Vsevolod Zviryk/Science Photo Library
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Wellcome announced the funding on 28 June. The vaccine candidate was developed by drug firm GSK, which has licensed it to the Gates Medical Research Institute., is one of the world’s biggest epidemics, claiming 1.6 million lives each year. The burden is particularly high in low- and middle-income countries. This disparity was dramatically showcased during the COVID-19 pandemic, when disruptions to health services led to increased infections.
Moving to phase III trials is long overdue, says Scriba. “It’s entirely appropriate that there’s substantial investment in this field so that we can actually appropriately respond to the magnitude of the TB problem,” he adds. The trial will recruit 26,000 participants in several countries across Asia and Africa.antigens — and an adjuvant, AS01E.