Novel Lassa fever vaccine platform with built‑in safety features
Official title: Novel Lassa fever live-attenuated vaccine platform with safety features ensuring unbreachable attenuation
Funded at Scripps Research Institute, the · NIH-11373069 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new live-attenuated Lassa fever vaccine platform is being developed to safely protect people in West Africa by creating a durable immune response with multiple safety mechanisms.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $469,396 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI181212-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11373069 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals in Lassa-endemic areas or populations at high risk of exposure who may benefit from a safe and effective vaccine.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to medical contraindications or who live in non-endemic areas may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a live-attenuated Lassa fever vaccine that remains safely attenuated yet highly protective, using codon deoptimization and genetic features to prevent reversion to virulence. Researchers will test stability and attenuation in animal models and evaluate the antibody responses generated after vaccination. If successful, the approach could lead to a practical vaccine option for populations at risk in Africa.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this vaccine platform could reduce Lassa fever infections and related severe illness in West Africa and potentially other affected regions.
How similar studies have gone: Similar codon-deoptimization strategies have shown attenuation and protective immunity in animal models, with ongoing work translating to humans.
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.