The R&D collaboration combines CureVac resources and expertise in mRNA vaccine development with the scientific expertise of the Vaccines Action Group and the UK network of experts and capabilities in SARS-CoV-2 vaccine research and development. As part of the collaboration, the VTF and CureVac will evaluate a number of SARS-CoV-2 variants and are expected to create vaccine candidates against the selected ones. Clinical trials will be conducted in the UK to obtain emergency or conditional marketing approval for selected vaccine candidates against the most dangerous variable viruses.
CureVac will also leverage its technology to enable the manufacture of clinical and commercial quantities of any vaccines resulting from the collaboration, in addition to manufacturing the existing vaccine at CureVac versus SARS-CoV-2 (CVnCoV), which is currently in Phase 3 trials.
Subject to regulatory approval, the agreement introduces an initial supply of 50 million doses of variable vaccines to the UK with the expectation that some production will take place in the UK. In addition, the agreement predicts that manufacturing capabilities will be in place for the rapid production of many variable vaccines for the UK if needed over the next three years. CureVac plans to use their broader manufacturing network to leverage variable vaccine candidates for global supply.