FluOrganoVax led by CEVA

Controlling influenza A (IAV) in pigs is both a major public health issue and a crucial challenge for the pig industry. Pigs play a central role in the influenza ecosystem as an intermediate reservoir capable of reassortment of genetic segments from human, swine, and avian viruses. This mechanism can lead to the emergence of new pandemic strains, as was observed with the H1N1 virus during the 2009 pandemic. Today, control of IAV in pig farms relies mainly on the use of inactivated vaccines. However, IAV is a segmented RNA virus with a high capacity for evolution, while the vaccines currently available cannot be adapted quickly enough to keep up with the emergence of new circulating variants.

In this context, self-replicating RNA (ssRNA) vaccine technologies represent a particularly promising alternative. They make it possible to modify the sequences coding for antigens of interest, in particular hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), in just a few weeks, thus providing great flexibility in the face of a constantly evolving virus. However, the development and optimization of sRNA vaccines requires the comparison of a large number of vaccine candidates in order to identify the most effective ones. Today, this phase still relies heavily on animal testing, which is time-consuming, costly, restrictive, and severely limits the number of vaccine candidates that can be tested, thereby delaying the selection of the best candidates.

The use of porcine lymphoid organoids, including lymphoid aggregates and lymphoid organs on chips, is an innovative and relevant alternative to animal testing. These ex vivo models provide a robust system for measuring complex humoral and cellular immune responses. They allow for the screening of a much larger number of vaccine candidates prior to in vivo studies, significantly reducing the risk of unsuccessful animal trials and accelerating the development phases of a new vaccine.

The FluOrganoVax project therefore aims to (i) register a saARN vaccine platform against swine flu and (ii) develop and validate two types of porcine organoids for the evaluation of saARN vaccine candidates. Led by a consortium bringing together Ceva Santé Animale, INRAE, and the Institut Pasteur, it is fully in line with a One Health approach, at the interface between animal and human health. Ceva, a leading industrial player in veterinary vaccines, is leading the development and registration of the vaccine platform. INRAE is contributing its recognized expertise in swine immunology and virology, while the Institut Pasteur is mobilizing its knowledge of immunology and organoid-on-a-chip technologies.  

Over a four-year period, FluOrganoVax will provide France with a unique strategic capability to respond rapidly to future panzootic diseases and/or pandemics. By combining an agile vaccine platform with predictive ex vivo models, the project will significantly reduce the time required to develop new vaccines, while strengthening One Health preparedness and the sustainability of the pig industry.