HIPRA, a European biotechnology company specialised bringing innovation for health prevention, is participating in a pioneering European project that seeks to transform the way we protect ourselves against influenza. The initiative, coordinated by the Medical University of Vienna, aims to develop a next-generation intranasal vaccine capable of providing broader and longer-lasting protection, not only against seasonal influenza strains but also against strains with pandemic potential. The consortium has submitted its proposal to HaDEA (European Health and Digital Executive Agency) and is seeking to be selected under the European Commission’s EU4Health programme.

HIPRA brings its industrial leadership to the project, taking responsibility not only for large-scale production, regulatory processes, and future commercialisation of the vaccine, but also for key R&D tasks. Specifically, HIPRA will co-lead process development and analytical development, ensuring that the transition from research to production is robust, efficient, and scientifically sound. 

Influenza remains one of the leading threats to public health worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it causes between 290,000 and 650,000 deaths every year due to respiratory complications . In addition, influenza viruses are constantly changing, which requires vaccines to be updated annually and can reduce their effectiveness. These characteristics, combined with vaccination fatigue among the population, highlight the need for more effective, longer-lasting vaccines with less invasive administration routes.
 

A vaccine designed to increase acceptance and curb transmission

The vaccine candidate proposed by the consortium will use a pioneering strategy based on one of the main surface proteins of the influenza virus, which in turn is one of the most conserved. The vaccine will facilitate the work of healthcare professionals, and it is intended to stimulate a stronger local immune response in the respiratory mucosa

Contributing to Europe’s objective of strategic autonomy in public health

This project contributes to the European Union’s strategic health objectives, particularly in the areas of health security and preparedness for potential pandemics. It will provide an innovative solution that combines advanced scientific design, European industrial production, and a model of exemplary public–private collaboration. The vaccine, which is intended to be stable between 2 and 8 °C, will be designed for rapid and large-scale deployment, reinforcing Europe’s strategic autonomy and reducing dependence on non-EU manufacturers in health emergency situations.

With this project, HIPRA reaffirms its commitment to innovation in human health and its role as a key partner in building a future better prepared to face infectious threats.

Current status and next steps

The consortium is currently awaiting the resolution from HaDEA, to whom the project proposal was submitted under the EU4Health programme. Since the first three specific contracts are planned to be signed in 2025, it is expected that the European Commission will announce the tenderers selected for the first phase of a total length of 98 months by the end of the year. The indicative budget amounts to EUR 147,951,410, which represents the indicative ceiling for each of the framework contracts to be signed.

A European collaboration integrating academia, cutting-edge research, and vaccine manufacturing expertise

Coordinated by the Medical University of Vienna (Austria), the project leverages HIPRA’s industrial leadership and vaccine R&D expertise. The University of Bergen (Norway) leads the phase I clinical trial, while Karolinska Institutet (Sweden) provides mucosal immunology analysis. The University of Boku (Austria) specializes in purification processes, Inimmune (USA) contributes its adjuvant technology, and Mount Sinai Hospital (USA) adds expertise in vaccine design.

Together, these complementary strengths make the consortium uniquely equipped to develop innovative intranasal influenza vaccines.