WHO Zika R&D Pipeline

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WHO and experts prioritize vaccines, diagnostics and innovative vector control tools for Zika R&D

 

67 groups working on experimental products

 

Geneva, 9 March 2016

 – After a three-day consultation on Zika research and development, international experts, convened by WHO, have agreed on top priorities to advance R

 

The following tools were prioritized as the most viable options to help fight the spread of Zika virus in the immediate future:

 

• Multiplex tests for ‘flaviviruses’ (viruses related to Zika, such as dengue, chikungunya), in addition to more traditional tests;
• protective vaccines based on killed virus (or other non-live) preparations for women of childbearing age; and
• innovative vector control tools that reduce the mosquito population.

“Zika virus induces a mild and mostly harmless infection in the majority of patients,” indicated Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, Assistant Director-General in charge of R

 

As of 2 March, 67 companies and research institutions were already working on a number of products (31 on diagnostics, 18 on vaccines, 8 on therapeutics, 10 on vector control), which are at various stages of early development. No vaccine or therapeutic has yet been tested on humans.

 

Vaccines

 

Experts agreed that the development of a vaccine is a major priority to respond to epidemics in the future. Vaccination of pregnant women and women of childbearing age is the main target, and pragmatic strategies will be needed to fast-track the development of a safe and effective product.

 

Work is underway for the development of an emergency vaccine target product profile. The target product profile will serve as a guide to consult and build consensus on regulatory requirements for Zika vaccine evaluation and registration. A draft target profile will be submitted to a public consultation in the coming weeks, with a view to having a final profile in May.

 

 

Diagnostics

 

Over 30 companies are working on or have developed potential diagnostic tests. There is general support for the development of a target product profile for a multiplex test that can diagnose dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses. A first draft is ready and this too will undergo public consultation before finalization in mid-April.

 

WHO continues to encourage manufacturers to apply to the WHO Emergency Use, Assessment and Listing procedure for a quality and performance evaluation of their products.

 

Emergency Use Assessment and Listing Procedure for Zika Virus Disease

 

Vector control

 

Vector control experts have clearly stated that as traditional interventions – such as insecticide spraying –  have not had significant impact on dengue transmission the same might apply to Zika.  They also cautioned that extreme rigour needs to be applied in evaluating novel tools, such as Wolbachia, recombinant and irradiated mosquitoes. An emergency meeting of the WHO Vector Control Advisory Group next week will fine-tune evaluation methods and a target product profile for innovative techniques.

 

The R&D community has responded vigorously to the need for Zika medical products and innovative vector control measures; the pipeline of candidate products is still growing. A major advance compared to the Ebola product R

 

“While product development is at an earlier stage than that for Ebola,” concluded Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, “R

 

 

Media contacts:

 

Daniela Bagozzi

Senior Information/Communication Manager WHO

E-mail: 

[email protected]

Tel. +41 22 791 19 90

Mob. +41 79 60 37 281

http://www.who.int/medicines/en/

 

Fadéla Chaib

Communications Officer / WHO Spokesperson

Email: 

[email protected]

Tel: +41227913228

Mobile: +41794755556

 

For more information, please visit:

http://who.int/en/

 

 

Current Zika Product Pipeline can be accessed here:
http://www.who.int/csr/research-and-development/zika-rd-pipeline.pdf

 

View  the note for the media:

http://www.whoint/mediacentre/news/notes/2016/research-development-zika/en/

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Audio

http://terrance.who.int/mediacentre/presser/WHO-RUSH_Zika_research_meeting_presser_UNOG_09MAR2016.mp3