This week, HIPRA took part in the World Vaccine Congress Europe, held in Amsterdam, where Stijn Hollemeersch, Human Health Global Medical Affairs Director, presented work from the R&D team during his presentation, "Advancing COVID-19 vaccination strategies: Integrating science, technology and real-world insights".

The presentation highlighted how the design of HIPRA’s COVID-19 vaccine, could open new possibilities for developing bivalent vaccines, should future recommendations call for targeting more than one virus variant. 

During the presentation, Hollemeersch explained that HIPRA’s COVID-19 vaccine combines two building blocks from the virus's spike protein, which can originate from the same variant or from two different variants. As the virus continues to evolve and several variants may circulate simultaneously, this technology offers an interesting opportunity to explore new vaccination approaches.  

Hollemeersch presented research investigating this potential. While further studies are needed to establish its clinical value, the work illustrates how HIPRA is building on its existing technology to prepare for possible future vaccination needs.

“We don’t know what future recommendations will bring. But by exploring new possibilities today, we can help prepare for tomorrow. The future is uncertain, that's why we keep researching,” Hollemeersch emphasized.

The World Vaccine Congress is a leading event in the field of vaccines, recognised as Europe’s largest vaccination-focused congress, bringing together a wide range of scientific professionals working in research and development, biotechnology, clinical trials and public health.

The congress provided a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration opportunities with other companies, institutions and scientific professionals. Industry experts shared the latest scientific and technological advances to continue promoting disease prevention through effective tools such as vaccination.