Tackling a novel lethal virus: a focus on H7N9 vaccine development

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Avian-origin H7N9 influenza viruses first detected in humans in China in 2013 continue to cause severe human infections with a mortality rate close to 40%. These viruses are acknowledged as the subtype most likely to cause the next influenza pandemic.

Areas covered: Here we review published data on the development of H7N9 influenza vaccine candidates and their evaluation in preclinical and clinical trials identified on PubMed database with the term ‘H7N9 influenza vaccine’. In addition, a search with the same term was done on ClinicalTrials.gov to find ongoing clinical trials with H7N9 vaccines.

Expert commentary: Influenza vaccines are the most powerful tool for protecting the human population from influenza infections, both seasonal and pandemic. During the past four years, a large number of promising H7N9 influenza vaccine candidates have been generated using traditional and advanced gene engineering techniques. In addition, with the support of WHO’s GAP program, influenza vaccine production capacities have been established in a number of vulnerable low- and middle-income countries with a high population density, allowing the countries to be independent of vaccine supply from high-income countries. Overall, it is believed that the world is now well prepared for a possible H7N9 influenza pandemic.

KEYWORDS:

• H7N9 avian influenza
• influenza vaccines
• pandemic influenza
• preclinical study
• clinical study
• production capacity
• pandemic preparedness

Acknowledgments

Writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript. Editorial assistance was provided by Patricia Butler, Formerly Chief, Publications, World Health Organization (Geneva, Switzerland).

Declaration of interest

L Rudenko is a non-executive Director of BioDiem Ltd. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript was funded by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (Grant No14-15-00034).