This week’s Vaccines Research update highlights early vaccine pipeline progress, procurement expansion, platform innovation, clinical data releases, and regional partnerships.
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🧬 CEPI accelerates Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccines [1] [DRC/Uganda • 01 Jun 2026]
https://cepi.net/cepi-fast-tracks-three-bundibugyo-ebolavirus-vaccine-candidates
Context: The outbreak has no licensed Bundibugyo vaccine and has caused more than 900 suspected cases and more than 220 suspected deaths.
Key point: CEPI will fund three investigational Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccine candidates from IAVI, Moderna, and University of Oxford/SII.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.
🦠 Idorsia reports C. difficile vaccine immunogenicity [2] [Switzerland • 01 Jun 2026]
https://www.idorsia.com/media/news/news-archive/media-release-details?id=3697999
Context: High-dose healthy-participant data showed favorable safety and dose-dependent IgG responses, with all high-dose recipients showing immunogenicity.
Key point: Idorsia reported positive high-dose Phase 1 results for IDOR-1134-2831, its C. difficile synthetic glycan vaccine.
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.
🤝 Samjin and AriBio LAB form Korea vaccine alliance [3] [KR • 01 Apr 2026]
https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-science/2026/06/01/ZB27K6OQGFFBJMIWKOIAAZEEJM/
Context: AriBio LAB’s recombinant shingles vaccine CVI-VZV-001 is in Phase 2, and the alliance includes AriBio LAB’s L-pampo and Lipo-pam platforms.
Key point: Samjin Pharmaceutical and AriBio LAB signed an MOU to co-develop and commercialize shingles and hepatitis B vaccines in Korea.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.
🧫 First leishmaniasis vaccine trial set to begin [4] [US • 02 Jun 2026]
https://news.osu.edu/phase-1-clinical-trial-set-to-begin-on-first-leishmaniasis-vaccine/
Context: The live, CRISPR-edited Leishmania major vaccine cleared an FDA IND hurdle and will enroll about 75–100 people.
Key point: Ohio State said a Phase 1 clinical trial of a leishmaniasis vaccine is set to begin in the coming months.
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.
💉 Vaxcyte starts first-in-human VAX-A1 study [5] [US/Australia • 02 Jun 2026]
https://investors.vaxcyte.com/news-releases/news-release-details/vaxcyte-doses-first-participant-phase-1-study-evaluating-vax-a1
Context: The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled dose-escalation study will enroll about 80 healthy adults aged 18–40 in Australia.
Key point: Vaxcyte dosed the first participant in a Phase 1 study of VAX-A1 for prevention of Group A Streptococcus disease.
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.
🎯 Moderna and Merck present 5-year INT melanoma data [6] [US • 01 Jun 2026]
https://feeds.issuerdirect.com/news-release.html?newsid=8957702549517575&symbol=MRNA
Context: At median 60.3-month follow-up, the combination reduced recurrence or death risk by 49% and distant metastasis or death risk by 59%.
Key point: Moderna and Merck reported 5-year Phase 2b data for intismeran autogene plus Keytruda in resected high-risk melanoma.
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.
🌍 SK bioscience secures first UNICEF flu vaccine contract [7] [Global • 02 Jun 2026]
https://www.skbioscience.com/en/news/news_01_01?mode=2&id=355&page=1
Context: The company will supply about 640,000 doses across Southern and Northern Hemisphere programs.
Key point: SK bioscience was named a UNICEF influenza vaccine supplier for 2026 immunization programs.
Implication: May expand screening, initiation, and follow-up at scale.
Why it matters
- Multiple programs target pathogens with no approved vaccines or limited preventive options, including Bundibugyo ebolavirus, leishmaniasis, and Group A Strep.
- Public procurement remains a key access lever, with SK bioscience expanding from PAHO supply to UNICEF procurement.
- Platform breadth is widening, including synthetic glycans, CRISPR-edited live vaccines, mRNA individualized neoantigen therapy, and bacterial antigen designs.
- Several updates are early-stage, so safety, immunogenicity, and durability data will drive next decisions.
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FAQ
Which Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccine candidates did CEPI select?
CEPI selected candidates from IAVI, Moderna, and University of Oxford, with Oxford’s candidate manufactured at Serum Institute of India. [1]
What did Idorsia report for IDOR-1134-2831?
Idorsia reported favorable safety and dose-dependent IgG responses in a high-dose Phase 1 cohort of healthy participants. [2]
What is Samjin Pharmaceutical’s role in the AriBio LAB alliance?
Samjin will contribute domestic medical-institution sales and prescription-drug marketing capabilities for Korea commercialization. [3]
Where will the leishmaniasis vaccine Phase 1 trial run?
The initial trial is planned in Kenya and Brazil, with a Cincinnati, Ohio site possibly added. [4]
What is VAX-A1 designed to prevent?
VAX-A1 is Vaxcyte’s investigational prophylactic vaccine for disease caused by Group A Streptococcus. [5]
What did Moderna and Merck report for intismeran autogene plus Keytruda?
At 5-year median follow-up, the combination showed sustained recurrence-free and distant metastasis-free survival benefit versus Keytruda alone. [6]
Entities / Keywords
CEPI, Bundibugyo ebolavirus, IAVI, Moderna, University of Oxford, Serum Institute of India, DRC, Uganda
Idorsia, IDOR-1134-2831, C. difficile, Clostridioides difficile, synthetic glycan vaccine
Samjin Pharmaceutical, AriBio LAB, CVI-VZV-001, shingles vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine, L-pampo, Lipo-pam
Ohio State University, Abhay Satoskar, leishmaniasis, Leishmania major, CRISPR vaccine, IND
Vaxcyte, VAX-A1, Group A Streptococcus, Group A Strep, ScpA, SLO, SpyAD, GACPR
Moderna, Merck, MSD, intismeran autogene, mRNA-4157, V940, Keytruda, pembrolizumab, melanoma, KEYNOTE-942
SK bioscience, UNICEF, SKYCellflu, influenza vaccine, WHO Prequalification, PAHO
