Developing a safe vaccine for Lassa fever
Official title: Novel Lassa fever live-attenuated vaccine platform with safety features ensuring unbreachable attenuation
Funded at Scripps Research Institute, the · NIH-10904491 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new vaccine for Lassa fever, a serious illness found in West Africa, that aims to protect people with just one dose by using a safe version of the virus to help the body build a strong defense against it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $490,396 |
| NIH project number | 1U01AI181212-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10904491 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in or traveling to areas where Lassa fever is endemic, particularly in West Africa.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of Lassa fever or those living in regions where the disease is not present may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a live-attenuated vaccine for Lassa fever, a viral disease endemic to West Africa that causes significant illness and death. The approach involves using genetically modified viruses that are stable and fully attenuated, meaning they cannot cause disease but can still stimulate a strong immune response. The vaccine aims to provide complete protection against the virus with just one dose, addressing the urgent need for effective prevention methods in regions where Lassa fever is prevalent.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a safe and effective vaccine that significantly reduces the incidence of Lassa fever in affected populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research on live-attenuated vaccines for other viral infections has shown promising results, indicating that this approach could be effective for Lassa fever as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Scripps Research Institute, the
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De la Torre, Juan C. — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: De la Torre, Juan C.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.