The Center for Vaccinology and Immunotherapy (CVI) at Institut Pasteur is honored to be a key participant in the European Vaccines Hub for Pandemic Readiness (EVH). This EU-driven collaborative initiative, funded with over €102 million over four years, aims to strengthen Europe’s rapid response to future pandemics by advancing public-health–relevant vaccine development.
Led by Professor James Di Santo, CVI heads Pillar 2 – Preclinical Studies of the project, working closely with Inserm, ANRS-MIE, the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and the Paris public hospitals (AP-HP). This partnership aligns with the first priority of the Pasteur 2030 Strategic Plan – Infectious Threats and leverages dedicated EU funding to accelerate vaccine research and innovation.
The EVH consortium brings together 11 core beneficiaries and 13 affiliated entities from 7 European countries, coordinated by the Sclavo Vaccines Association in Siena, Italy. The project is structured around four key pillars:
- Pillar 1: Discovery – Fondazione Biotecnopolo di Siena, Italy
- Pillar 2: Preclinical Studies – Institut Pasteur, France
- Pillar 3: Clinical Studies – Vaccinopolis, University of Antwerp, Belgium
- Pillar 4: Manufacturing – DZIF and ZEPAI, Germany
Through EVH, Europe aims to fortify its vaccine R&D ecosystem, achieve strategic autonomy, and establish enduring academic–industry partnerships for rapid pandemic response. Focusing on a select group of priority pathogens with pandemic potential, as identified in the WHO Regional Pathogen Prioritization report for Europe, the hub drives innovation across the entire vaccine development pipeline—from prototype design to production—while enhancing clinical evaluation capabilities, coordinating with manufacturers, and optimizing digital processes in vaccine design and distribution.
The official EVH Kick-Off Meeting took place on 22–23 May 2025 at the University of Siena, Italy, with over 160 participants, including representatives from all partner institutions, the European Commission, HERA, HaDEA, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and Italian Ministries of Health and University & Research.
Over the next four years, the project will be co-funded through the EU4Health program, with a European Union contribution of €101,995,339 and an estimated total project cost of €169,992,333.
CVI’s active involvement offers a unique opportunity to expand international collaborations, leverage advanced infrastructure, and drive innovative vaccine projects – positioning the center as a leading player at the forefront of infectious threat preparedness in Europe.
